LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Slielf..B?t.... 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



■/" / 



The + Sign 




BY»DSVlDH.tPULLmM> 



S . 



PRINTED BY JOHNS <fc GOoLSBY, RICHMOND. 



.—J 



THE SIGNET; 



OR, 



HTHE LOVE OF QUEEN ELIZHBETHK- 



^ ilaj) 



i25r ■b'X'vjb: ^cts. 



BY DAVID L. PULLIAM 



ii^/f 



KICHMOND : 
JOHNS & GOOLSBY, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 

1884. 






Entered according to act of Congress, in the year one thonsand eigbt bnOK 
dred and eighty-four, by 

DAVID L. PULLIAM, 

IH THB OFFICB op THE LIBRARIAN OF CONQRKSS, AT WASHrNeTOK, D. C, 

All Rights Reserved. 



PREFACE. 



Queen Elizabeth, of England, ascended the throne ia 
1558, and in the twenty-fifth year of her age. She was one of the 
most, if not the most, puissant and interesting monarchs of her 
age. >Young, passionate, imperious, astute, politic, learned and 
luxurious, with a grand port and magnificent presence — en- 
dowed with surpassing eloquence and finesse : the Queen of a 
^reat and mighty people, and the ruler of a government, whose 
laws and insticutions were undefined and unsettled, and whose 
polity, that afterwards culminated in a political system of mas- 
terly excellence and posver, was just emerging from the dark- 
ness and anarchy of revolution and discord that had shaken the 
nation to the very centre ; yet illumined by the dawning light 
of that wondrous civilization and splendor, whose meridian 
glories shed imperishable lustre upon the annals of the world — 
she was the leading actor on the theatre of Europe. She then 
displayed much, if not all, of the genius and many marvelous 
■characteristics that distinguished her in after life, and which 
made her one of the most conspicuous and remarkable charac- 
ters known to history. This was before she had formed those 
ties and entanglements with Leicester and Essex, which, in after 
days, held their fluctuating sovereignty over her changing affec- 
tions. She was in the golden hey-day of her prime, and ar- 
dently susceptible to the witcheries o£ flattery and love — pos- 
sessing the warm and voluptuous temperament of her mother, 
and the haughty and tyrannical bearing of her fa^.her ; yet gov- 
•erned by a mind of great depth and a judgment of wonderful 
perspicacity. Her vanity was even then excessive ; and for its 
gratification she would, ofttimes, sacrifice her maidenly pro- 
priety and queenly dignity. For beneath the glittering exterior 
of vanity and deceit, of formality and of pomp, rushed and 
surged the fiery tides of passion and love. All males who ap- 
proached her were deemed slaves to minister to her adulation, 
:and worshipers to sacrifice at her altars. It is not surprising, 
therefore, as she gathered around her throne the most learned, 
elegant, courteous, handsome and gallant men of her time, that 
scandal, and even truth, drawing aside the veil that history has 



4 PREFACE. 

cast over her vices, should point, through the courtly disguise of 
passion, to crime and a lapse from the strict principles of moral 
and virtuous demeanor. The period of the present play is 
about three years after the commencement of her reign — when 
she was in the full bloom and flower of her beauty, soul and 
mind — and is founded partly on fact and partly on fiction. The 
writer has endeavored to present a portraiture of this the most 
illustrious and magnificent queen of modern times — her frailties 
and her virtues, her follies and her glories. He can only ex- 
press the hope that his effort may meet with the approbation 
and applause of his readers ; and that they will pardon — 

" The flat, unraised spirit, that has dar'd, 
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth 
So great an object." 

April 15th, 1884. 



DEDICATION. 



When from Olympus, in the time antique, 

Whose elate is lost in dark oblivion. 

Great Jove ascended, in his majesty, 

A throne unseen and unapproachable, 

He sent his Muses, that were wont to add 

E'en to the joys of the immortal Gods, 

As messengers of gladness unto Earth. 

Thenceforth, these Muses have comraun'd with men — 

Each several Muse in her own golden time, 

And each in skill accoutred for the act. 

Hath gladden'd and inspir'd mortality ! 

History hath limn'd, upon her blazon'd page, 

The gorgeous pictures of the deeds of earth ; 

Astronomy hath, with her mystic art, 

Stolen the light and charactery of heaven, 

And made her charts to guide the daring soul 

Through starry mysteries of the firmament ; 

Sweet Poesy hath sung her wondrous songs. 

That Music and dear Memory have set 

Unto enchanting melody of sounds ; 

Art hath breath'd upon the works of men, 

And they grew beautiful beneath her touch ; 

And Tragedy, who seldom visits earth, 

Save at bright epochs, when in woman's form. 

She comes to soften and inspire the soul : — 

When Siddon's voice arouse'd a nation's heart 

With thunders that still echo through the world ; 

A Rachel's tears could stir a continent 

To joy or wrath — that never was to die ; 

And thy rich strains, great Anderson, that live 

To witch the world with melody and art — 

Whose strength and sweetness shall increase with Time, 

Till thou shalt be recall'd from banishment. 

To syllable the music of the Gods ! 

Deign to look, gently, on my humble work, 

That T, here, give a tribute to thy fame I 



DRAMATIS persons;. 



William, Lord Burghley, Lord Treasurer of the Eealm. 

Sir Francis Walsingham, Secretary of State, Uncle to Norreys. 

Sir Thomas Norreys^ Commander of the Queen's Forces in 
Ireland. 

Sir Warham St. Leger, Lieutenant to Sir Thomas Norreys^ 

Priest. 

King-ai-Arm^. 

Usher to Queen Elizabeth. 

Page to Lady Ellen MacCarthy. 

Elizabeth^ Queen of England. 

Lady Ellen MacCarthy, Heiress of Lord MacCarthy. 

Lady Florence Denham, Friend to Lady Ellen MacCarthy. 



Lords, Ladies, Herald, Sergeants-at-Arms, Guards, and At- 
tendanis. 



SCENE: 

Pabtly, at Clan-Oarthy Castle, Ireland, 
and, partly, at london. 

Period, 1565. 



THE SIGNET; 



OR, 



THE LOVE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. 



^ ilaM. 



INDUCTION. 



Enter Chorus. 

England's the scene : when great Elizabeth 

Was thron'd in glory and the hearts of men ; 

And her large fame enclos'd the spacious globe^ 

And walk'd with stars the burning Zodiac ! 

Her court the seat of sovereignty and wit, 

And choicest home of courtesy and art ; 

Where Learning bloom'd beneath the smile of Power^ 

And Valor strengthen'd in the acts of War; 

Where Poesy touch'd her sweetest lyres, to praise 

The deeds and glories of the brave and fair, 

That live enshrin'd in her immortal lays ; 

Where Sydney, Ess^x, Spencer, and the bard 

That Fame hath crown'd the wonder of the World — 

Great Shakspeare — whom the Muses deign'd to bless^ 

Each with the richest gift she brought from Heaven ;. 

And great assemblage of her lords and peers 

Encircl'd her as satellites the Sun, 

Giving and taking light reciprocal ; 

Whilst she, supremest queen of all the earth, 

Doflf'd her proud crown and left her royal seat, 

To grace Dan Cupid with her countenance 

And dalliance soft : and never chid his suit — 

Albeit her fond embrace press'd him to death, 

Or he was suffocate in streams of blood 

That flow'd from wounds his darts did never make t 



THE SIGNET. 

Yet never deign'd to alter her estate, 

Though Hymen woo'd her in his best array, 

And point'd her the way to Paradise ! 

Fiction, here, weaveth on the warp of Truth, 

With golden threads pick'd from her richest woof, 

A true impressure of the scenes of Eld ; 

That, I, the Chorus to this history, 

Now, hang before ye like old tapestry, 

Woven in colors of antiquity; 

From which I'v^ swept the tliievish dust of Time — 

To give to ye a picture of the past. 

Come, view the piece ! but censure not the art, 

Tliat, thus, hath blended Fancy with the Truth ; 

And deem the work a likeness, not a dream ! 

[Exit Chorus. 



ACT I. 

V 

Scene I. — Ireland — An Ante-Room— Clan-Carihy Castle. 
Enter Norreys and St. Leger. 

St. Leg. What ho ! what ho ! More wine ! We'll drink a 
health 
As wide and deep as the Infinite sea. 
Albeit our thirst's the fathom of desire ! 

Nor. An' thou bib wine until tiiy thirst be quench'd, 
Thy nose shall blaze a beacon o'er its waves, 
Whose light shall warn adventurous mariners 
To shun the depths that have engulph'd a fool — 
Save his light head, that swims upon the foam, 
To mark its lack of weight! ness and wit. 

Enter Page {with wint). 

St. Leg. Ah ! let it swim upon the sparkling tide, 
An' it be heavy it will sink with dregs 
Unto the bottom, and ne'er rise again ! 
Bravo ! bravo ! Come, drink our quick return 
Unto dear England and the dalliance soft 
That sweetens peace, and days of tranquil joy ! 
Oh ! Mars unfold the wrinkles of thy brow. 
And yield thy sceptre to the reign of love ! 

Nor. I shall not drink thy bout ! I've drunk enow ! 

St. Leg. Thou wilt not drink my bout? And why, forsooth? 
Hast thou not won the meed of excellence 
Iq valor, and in stratagems, and arms? 



THE SIGNET. 9t 

Hast thou not thwack'd these stalwart Irishers, 

Until the harp that blazon'cl in their front — 

By them misdeetnM a siijn of victory — 

Is, now, attuii'd to pleasino^s of delight? 

Hast thou not clomb to Fame's Olympic heights : 

Where thou, now, sit'st a very Hercules ; 

With not a foe to cope with tliee withal? 

And Ireland, that bristl'd o'er with spears ; 

"Now revels at a jocund holiday ! 

Greet my bout ! Nay — Thou art a heretic 

Unto fair Venus, and this rosy wine — 

That bliisheth at thy treachery and shame ! 

Nor. Bright wine, thou shalt no longer blush for rae! 
Here's to our safe return unto our home ; 
When all our work's acliiev'd and duly done, 
And by the mandate of the queen we go ! [They drink, 

St. Leg. Ha I ha ! Comrade, the queen will look to thee ; 
For I did note that she did mark thee well. 
When last thou hadst an audience of her liege ; 
Ere we were banish'd from her royal court 
To quell rebellion in this hostile Isle : 
Her eye shone on thee with that wondrous light 
That beams from eyes illumin'd by the heart. 
Oh ! who'd not bask in the all-glorious rays 
Of that bright sun, in that great firmament ! 

Nor. No ioore of this, or thou shalt anger me ; 
For thy strange mirth is treason to the queen ! 
Come ! drink with me a deep and jovous bout 
Unto fair woman, and the dimpl'd God, 
Who holds our hearts in his small rosy hands ! 

[The F AGE fills their beakers.] 

St. Leg. I will not drink thy bout, but drinli to wme, 
That bears a likeness to fair dames, 'tis true : 
The wine is press'd, and so are women too ; 
The wine is drunk, and so are they, full oft; 
Wine groweth stale, and they become so too ; 
Wine maddens man, and so do lovely dames ; 
Man throws wine down, so oft 

Nor. Cease, cease, thy scandal ! Faith ! thou speakest of 
naught. 

St. Leg. Tis true, I speak of women and of wine, 
That are of like equality and kin ; 
For joys of wine evaporate in air. 
Which is the substance of a woman's vows ! 

Nor. An' thou wilt vent thv venom in my face, 
I'll hush thy slander with melodious song 
That hymns the praise and glory of the sex. 
This may charm the dullness from thy ear : 
Sweet music is the usher to the soul ! [Sings, 



10 THE SIGNET. 

Oh I sweet is the smile of a lass, 

That beams from rosy lips ; 
Ah I man should never let it pass, 

But catch it ere it slips ! 
For it is the herald of joy, 

That lures the heart to bliss, 
And ever is the fond decoy 

Unto the sweetest kiss ! 
xSf. Leg, {Sings). Oh ! sweet is the smile of the wine 

That beams from the beaker's brim ; 
It buoys the heart with joys divine 

When o'er its waves we swim I 
Ah ! it fills the brain with delights, 

Warms the heart to its core, 
And wings the soul for starry flights, 

When tlie sconce bumps on the floor I 
Nor, {Sings). Oh ! sweet is the kiss of a lass, 

When filch'd from a dewy lip ; 
But the dew is scarce — alas ! alas — 

Where can I find a sip? 
Ah ! the nectar is very sweet. 

Fresh from its rosy cup ; 
But maidens, oft, their lovers cheat 

With dregs, when the wine's drunk up I 
.St» Leg. {Sings). Oh I sweet is the kiss of the wine, 

As it mantles to the lips, 
And on its waves dance visions fine. 

As down the throat it slips ! 
But, egad ! in its golden tide, 

A man doth often sink, 
And the only thing that floats his hide, 

Is a swimming head and drink? 
Nor, {Sings). Oh ! sweet is the glance of a lass, 

That beams from starry eyes, 
But oft it smites the heart, alas 1 

Like lightning from the skies. 
Ah ! it is a bright ray from heaven — 

A fleeting beam of bliss ; 
'Tis sweetest, an' 'lis freely given ; 

Yet never comes amiss ! 
JSi. Leg. {Sings), Oh ! sweet is the glance of the wine. 

When blushing at the touch ; 
For in its light no heart can pine. 

Until we drink too much I 
Egad ! it is the golden drink 

That foam'd in Hebe's cup; 
'Tis sweet, an' down the throat it sink ; 

But — hie ! — an' it come up I 



tHB SIONET. 1% 

Nofr. (Sings). Oh ! sweet is the love of a lass, 

That shines from a heart that^i pure ; 
No joy on earth can this surpass— 

E^ad ! be not too sure I 
Ah ! the brightest smile can die, 

The sweetest kiss betray, 
And anger flashing from beaming eye ;. 
Yet give me the lass for aye ! 
Si, Leg, {Sings). Oh ! sweet is the love of the wine, 

That shines from the sparkling cup ; 
No brighter bliss a man can find, 

Alack ! till it's drunk up ! 
Ah ! the smile of wine can fade, 

Its rosy kiss destroy, 
And its fiery glance degrade : 
Yet give me wine— and joy ! [Theg drink,. 
Nor. Scoffer, avaunt ! I'll leave thee to thy mood I 

[Exit Paqb*^ 
St. Leg. Ha ! ha I Prithee, go hang thyself for love ! 

[Exit NORREYS.. 

Good faith I the fellow left the plague behind I 

This mirth I wear as an ill-fitting garb. 

That chafes, yet hides the soreness that it makes. 

Alack I I'm sad from lack of merriment ! 

Ah, me ! Ah, me ! I trow I walk in sleep : 

My mouth assumes the image of a yawn. 

And I've become the likeness of a sigh ! 

Am I a fool ? or am I in a dream ? 

I pinch myself, and find myself awake ; 

I grasp my sword — egad ! my hand can feel I 

I move my feet, and know that 1 can walk ! 

Yet I have visions that are strange to me ; 

That make me lose the joyance and the strength 

That I was wont to have. I sigh — I gape — 

I match myself to charming attitudes ; 

Sit in dark, secret corners, and reflect ; 

And then start up, prepared to run a race, 

And ere I move a foot — grow sad again ! 

I eat, yet know no quality of food ; 

Drink, yet can't the plain distinction make 

Betwixt the richest wine and smallest beer ; 

Sleep, yet sleep with both eyes opened wide. 

That see naught, save the imagery of dreams :. 

I haunt my glass, that like a truthful friend 

Declares me plain — unsuited for a lover ; 

And yet, I think I'm debonair and gay. 

And rich in all the graces and the arts 

That win and bind the fickle and the fair. 

In my accustom'd ways there's no delight ;. 



12 THE SIGNET. 

My sword, and lance, and shield, rust from disuse ; 

My steed neighs, vainly, in his idle stall, 

And my stron^: arm is weak as infai.cy. 

I, who glori'd in erabattl'd fields, now gaze 

Lpon the moon, and become a lunatic ! — 

Upon the stars, and tiie light of their sweet rays 

Sinks into my soul, and makes me si>ih ;unain ! 

Ah ! what liath wrought this wondrous change in me? 

'Tis not sickness— the leecii proclaims me well; 

'Tis not ambition — for ambition's bold, 

And fattens on the rarest food and wine : 

'Tis not sloth— for sloth could never do 

The feats herculean that I now p<^rform : 

'Tis not religion, for true churchmen seek 

No joys illusive, but substantial bliss. 

What can it be? Ah ! let me think ! 

Ha ! ha ! I've struck it ! 'Tis plain as a pike-staff ! 

I'm in love ! — aye, in love ! Well, that's strange I 

Marvelous — yet it is the very truth. 

I'm in love with Florence, and she with me. 

Alas ! that is yet to prove, Gramercy ! 

The devil's been with me, and dup'd me too; 

For now my sight is cleared, and I observe 

That Norreys loveth too. Behold, he comes ! 

Dan Cupid, sure, hath mark'd him for his own : 

He cannot breathe for sighing, and his eyes 

Are fix'd on visions that have charm 'd his soul. 

So he can ne'er discern the way he goes. 

He holds discourse with his shadow, and talks 

With beings as intangible as air. 

O, Love ! thou art, in sooth, a mighty power, 

Albeit, one touch of thy soft, ro<y wand. 

Can thus transform a hero to a fool ! 

I'll hide me here, and listen as he raves. [Hides himself. 

Enter Nobreys. 

Nor. I'm now resolved to speak my love to her. 
And end a struggle I cannot endure ; 
And yet, I fear, she'll scorn ray loving suit. 
And banish me, forever, from my Eden ! 
Oh ! she is pure and gentle, good and kind — 
Unused to the accursed ways of life ; 
And 'tis not in her naUire to be rude 
To me, a lowly suppliant at her shrine ! 

St. Leg. {Aside.) Ah ! I thought as much ! he's touch'd ! he'& 
touch 'd ! 

Nor. I'll make a bold avowal of my love ; 
And ask reciprocation from her heart ! 



THE SIGNET. 13 

St. Leg. (Aside.) It works ! it works ! — Now, hear him rant 
and whine ; 
Anrl m;ike a g^oddei-s of a piinted ^oose ! 

Nor. Oh ! here the limner h;Uh p )rtrav'd iier f ace — 

[Taling a miniotwefrom liis bosom J\ 
That soul and beauty crown with gracious lights 
And charms more radiant tlian su-e<'t Venus wore, 
When she first sprang- from out Idiilian seas; 
RobM in the pre.>tine splendor of her grace, 
Untainted even bj^ a zephyr's ki>s — 
Fairer than all of lieaven and of earth ! 
Those tender eyes can never llish witli wrath ; — 
And this sweet mouth, the couch of soft desire, 
Wliere kisses rest, can never utter hate ! — 
I feel new courage to avow my love : 
Be thi* dear smile the prophet of mv bliss ! 

SL Leg. {Aside ) He is improving ! — Tiiis is excellent, well I 

Nor. Eros ! I go to liappine>s or woe : — 
Be thou the herald to my joy or grief ! 

{Looks, lovingli/. at the picture and returns it to his bosom.. 

St. Leg (Aside.) Oh ! he is sick ! — alas ! he's very sick ! — 
*Tis strange his stomach holds such surfeit sweets, 
Nor ri-eth in rebellion strong and high. 
To cast the vile infection througii his tTiroat ! — 
I'll call a leech to pucge his liver clean, 
Or let the hot blood from his o'ercharged veins; 
For, sure, this madness's from excess of blood. 
Or indigestion of his latent meal. 
I'll spccik to him, and view this rank disease 
That m .kes a soldier motley'd as a clown ! [Advancing, 

What ails thee Norreys ? Whence these gloomy looks? 

Nor. I bear no gloomy looks ! I'm very gay. 

St. Leg. Gay ! ijay ! — Egad ! thy face a tombstone looks — 
An emblem of deep sorrow and despair — 
Change looks; or else thy epitaph i'U write ! 

Nor. Thou jcstest, my friend ; I'm happy as the lark ; 
When on his buoyant wingjie seeks the sky, 
To carol forth his matins to the sun ! 
Make not my face a whetstone f(»r thy wit; 
For an' the face' be sad, tljy wit is sadder ! 

St. Leg. Norreys ! wiiat alteration over thee hath come? 
Not many months have glided from our lives, 
Like golden sands from out the glass of Time, 
Which gleam'd like jewels in the smihis of Joy ; 
And thou wast foremost in the front of fun — 
Bright harbinger of pleasure and delight : 
Alert in all the ways of chivalry, 
And fiercest in the stern array of war. 
But, now, with moody brow and smiless lip, 



14 THE SIGNET. 

Thou sitest, the live-lonof day, imprisoned here ; 

And like the dial marketh our tlie liour?, 

Yet taketh no impression from tlieir touch. 

Art thou bewitched ? Art thou ambition's fool? 

Or hath Dan Cupid bound thpc in his chains, 

And put them in the hand* of some proud maid, 

Who will not list to tliy enfranclii-emont ; 

But leads thee captive to her petticoat? 

Nor. Thy shaft, St. Leo^er, strikes wide o' the mark» 
'Tis not the lack of gayety and life 
That keepetli me immurM in privacy : 
But transformation from the boy to man, 
And meditation that the chanojc doth bring. 
Of yore, my mind was bent on frolic gflee. 
And joys that dance in pleasure's gilded train ; 
Ambition lur'd me to the heights of Fame, 
Where bloom eternal laurels and the bays 
That blend their deathless beauty with a name — 
Whose fragrance maketh redolent the globe? 
These triflt^s, now are driven from my heart — 
And I have learn'd to think upon my fate, 
And ponder well the crooked ways of life. 
Life's no soft couch to slun^ber on, withil ; 
But a great tourney for the brave and strong? 
St. Leg. E^ad ! But thou has not answer'd me ! 
Nor. Nay ! but I have. I'll not be question'd more I 
St. Leg. In faitli, thou has not ! 
Does Cupid play no part in this fair list I 
Doesn't he conquer the conqueror; and the 
Great o'erthrovv, with but a silly glance 
That smites the heart, through shield and armed mail? 
Thy shyness made thee quite o'erlook the God, 
Whose throne is woman's heart — whose power her eye. 
'Tis ever the wont of lovers to be sad — 
To mouth at shadows, and to sigh at stars — 
Gasp at the moon, and to grin at flowers. 
Till they, oft, blush to see a fool so mad : 
And, tlien, they'll groan, and grunt, and muse — 
Gaze on vacancy, with gaping mouth ; 
And make the air grow heavy with dull sighs : 
And, when their frenzj'^ rageth at its height. 
They'll, madly, stare upon their mistress' face 
Liraned by an artist, on a piece of glass, 
And laud her like a madman or a poet : 
And, then, they'll prate of change from boy to man, 
Study profound, and meditation deep, 
About the world and all its wondrous ways ; 
And visions of earth, of heaven and of hell 
That ever crowd the seething brains of lovers. 



THE SIGNET. 15 

Out on thee, Sir ! — why scekest thou to hirle 

Thy rank infection, from my friendly eye? 

The prolie of truth can reach thy cankering wound ; 

And I will use ir, though it make thee dance ! 

Oh ! thou hast Cupid's mark upon thy face ; 

And here's the proof thou liast it in thy heart ! 

[Pnlls the miniature from Norrey'S bosom. 

Nor. How durst thou, thus, intrude upon my right? 
Give back the picture ! It a secret bears. 
Thou shalt not know ! Give it back to me ! — 
Quick ! or I'll seek an answer in thy lieart ! [Draws. 

St. Leg. Take back the glass ! I need no go-between : 
Thy secret's publish'd in thy countenance, 
That is a patent tliat thou art in love ! 

Nor. Why, then, gainsay the patent that I boar ; 

[Puts up his swords 
Since it's the title to the higliest joy ! 
Oh ! yes, I love ; and when ! love no more. 
My soul shall stand in the presence of its God I 
I watch'd the heaven of sweet Ell ;n's face, 
And the soft azure of her beauteou> eyes, 
Till like the Chaldean, their pun* lights, to me. 
Are shining sibyls of a jnjanis f?ite — 
Briijht auguries of happiness and peace ! 
Wliat, though, to her I have not spoke my love : 
For love on no consideration stands, 
And is not love if marr'd with such respects. 
Who hath not in tln^ golden prime of life — 
In the fair summer of resplendent youtli. 
When hope spreads her bright iris o'er fair days, 
And in her rich varietj^ of lights 
Clothes a great future with the hues of joy ; 
And Love illumes the heart, like stars the vault. 
And breathes harmonious mysteries to the mind, 
Giz'd on one face, until its fair reflex 
Shone into his soul with liglit eternal? 
Who hath not, knows no touch of joy or bliss, 
And's only fit to crawl upon the earth ! 

Si. Leg. Take back the picture ! sigh thyself to sleep I— 
Ha ! ha! I'd laugh, an' thou wert not so sad. 
Ah me ! The myrtle takes the laurel's place : 
And thou, a soldier, art, forever, shamed 
To yield thy fame to such a mood as this ; 
And rave and rant like any whining fool ! 
Oh ! Mars, forgive thy recreant worshiper — 
An' lie is blinded with excess of love I 

Nor. Thy lip curls at the phantasy of love ; 
And that soft tide of eloquence that flows 
From out the heart— the mirror of its charms ! 



10 THE SIGNET. 

Go thou, and pluck the bay from flan over's front, 
And deem it richer, an' 'tis deeply dyed 
In the bright purple of a brother's heart : 
And ril to Ellen, and proclaim my love; 
And wreathe the laurel with the lily's o-rowth — 
For her dear smile is worth the fame of earth ; 
And her pure kiss the scepries of its Kini^s, 
And sweeter Is than amaiantiiine blooms— 
E'en though they tiower hi the highest heaven ! 

[Exit NORREYS, 

St. Leg. Ha ! ha ! There goes another fool his way ! 
Enter. J Florence {unseen). 
Before I turn a machnan for my love, 
I'll hang myself in her frail apron-«tiings ! 
Norreys is iloolish — ?o I'll be quick and smart: 
For he'll go blab his love to all the world, 
And mine I'll breathe not to the voiceless air. 
Not that my love's unworthy of acclaim ; 
For she o'ertops the queens of all the earth ! 
Ah ! a shrewd man will never say he loves. 
Until he's fir.-t assiu-ed that he is loved : 
For he may find occasion to repent. 
And true repentance hiippeiis, oft, too late ! 
Oh ! Florence, would T could but see thee now! 

Flor. Then, turn, Sir Knight! and have thy wish fulfilled! 

St. Lsg. What ! wert thou here? — ilidst h^ar what I said — 

Flor. 'All— dl— Sir ! Wi^h'st thou to take it back? 

St Leg. Ay ! No ! Ay ! Zouiid- ! I know not what I say ! 

Flor. Oil ! Sir; I'll leave thee till some other time; 
Albeit my presence vexeth tliee so much ! 

St. Leg. IS ay, stay, lady ! 1 woidd not have thee go: 
And yet — and yet — I would not have thee stay. 

Flor. I go — no rules of gallantry thou kiiowest : 
Shame on thee — for a most inicivil Knight ! 
When I become a man I'il beat thee well, 
Since thou hast proven recreant to my sex : 
And thou shalt yield thee to disgraceful blows. 
And whimper like a very mewliuo: babe ; 
Nor raise an arm to strike in thy defence : 
For courtesy's the 'scutcheon of the brave I 

St. Leg. Lady, when thou becomest a man I'll take thy blows ! 

Flor. Rest sure; I'il see that they are given well! 
Adien. Sir ! iSIay Lhv senses soon nturn ! 

Si. Leg. Am I mad? Mj' brain burns ! Stay yet awhile ! 
Oh ! lady, do not drive me from thy side ; 
Nor leave me in perplexity or doubt. 



THE SIGNET. 17. 

Flor. Sir, now I see that thou art, surely, mad? 

!St. Leg. Oh ! thy swept presence 's dearer far to me, 
Than all th-^ broad world lioldeth dear besides I 
Ah ! could I speak the emotions that I feel 
Struo;:j;linof for utterance, in my he.irt enthralled 
B3' thy sweet ej'es, and the enchanting ways 
And tender ;2:races that upon thee wan — 

Flor. Hold ! hold ! — Thou scarest me ! I cannot stay I 

[Going. 

St. Leg. Oh ! stay, kind nymph ; T swear I love thee well — 

Flor. I am no nymph ; I am of flesh nnd blood ! 

S . Leg. I live upon thy smiles and <>lances bright ! 

Flor. In sooth— tl y appetite is very poor ! 

St. Leg. I fea*t upon thy cliarms; and when I see 
Thee not, I starve f<n* l^^ck of food. 

Flor. Kga'l, Sir — thy di_o^ostion must be bad. 

St. Leg. [Aside). Zounds ! — Tliis will never do ; I'll try again — 
Oh ! Florence, prithee do not mock me tluis: 
I'm rude in s-peecl), and all unused to coin 
The gilded currency of compliment; 
And yet, m}' heart moves quicker tlian my tongue : 
I love thee, Florence, with all my strength anil soul — 
And for tliis great love that I bear for thee, 
I a«k a 3U=it. reciprocal return. 

Flor. Oil I now, an' thou speak sense — I will remain I 

Enter Norreys {unseen), 

S^. Leg. Speak !~Dost thou love me? By this hand I swear— 

Flor. Oh ! do not swear, for that would be profane : 
And, certes, I would run — I believe thee well. 
When thou sayest thou lovest; without the paltry 
Baekinir of an oath ; but then — but then — 

St. Leg. But what, my love? 

Flor. But thou might'st change thy mind ; for thou art young, 
And all untutor'd in the wiles of life, 
And gay and reckless in the ways of pleasure — 
Dost thou mean to be honest with me, Sir? /■ 

St. Leg. Lady, my love 's immutable as fate, 
And lixM as the unchanging jidnniant: 
When I stray from the li^ht of thy fair face, ' 

Albeit to revel in Elysian bli-s. 
My soul shall know no sense of ecstac)'', 
And lose its strong capacity for joy ! 

Fir. Well— there's my hand, and in it is my heart ! 

St. Leg. Thou lovest me, then? Oh ! yield thy rosy lips, 
WlK'ieon I'll seal this bargain with a kiss ! 

Flor. My lord, no s<'al unto a compact 's fixed. 
By due prescriition of the law exact, 



18 THE SIGNET. 

Unless a w itnoss do attest the net ; 

No witness liere attends to vouch rhc deed ! 

S\ Leg. No witness 's needed, save our loving hearts — 
The de ir recorders of the deeds of love, 
That lovers enter in fond Cupid's court : 
Come ! — let us muke a registry of love ! 

Fhr. Nay, nay ! the registry's wrong. Ah ! let me a:o ! 

[Kisses her, 

St. Leg. Oh ! 'twas the sweetest seal that e'er was set 
Unto the compact of consenting hearts : 
And. now, the contract 's made, and firmly sealed ! 

Nor. Av ! av ! Sir Kniofht, and justly witness'd, too ! 

Flor. Ah me ! Ah ! what sh-^ll I do? I'll run ! 

St. Lig, \Vitii3SsM !— Egad ! I'll retreat— IMl follow! 

[JExeunt St. Legek a7id FLORENCE. 

Nor. They go their ways, happy in mutual love : 
And I dare not proclaiu) the love I bear. 
Oh ! Kllen, Ellen, wouldst thou wrrt here new, 
And I could tell thee of ni}'- love aud woe ! 
Ah ! there she comes : my fears return again. 

Unter Ellen. 

EU. Good morrow. Sir Knight; was't thou that called? 

Nor Nay, lady, nay— it was not I that called ! 

£11. Fardon the mistake: good day, my lord ! [Going» 

Nor. Ay ! 'twas I (hat called — pray thee, do not go I 

U/i. I'll then remain ; an' 'tis thy wish, my lord. 

Nor. I sought thee, lady ! Oh ! that I could speak 
The love and reverence tliat I bear to thee ! 
When lirst thou pass'd before my charmed eyes — 
Thou vvert to me a virion of delight : 
And admiration warm'd my soul to love ! 
I love thee, lady, with so pure a love, 
That ancrels might love mortals tiuis, nor sin ! 
Speak, Ellen, speTik ! — Dost thou return my love? 

Ell. My lord — away ! thou prudish modesty; 
My heart shall speak, and true avauchment make 
Of the strong love I hold for thee. Sir Knight ! 

Nor. A\\ ! Then, thou lovest me ! Incomparable bliss ! 
Oh ! let me like the ever amorous bee. 
"Who sips the honey from consenting flowers; 
Suck the sweetness from thy blushing lips — 
Where Hebe lost the nectar of the Gods ! 

Ull. My lord, mj'' lips declare neutrality. 
An' I shall receive whate'er thou deignest to give ! 

Nor, Ah ! I shall deign to give thee this — and this — 

[Kissing her. 

Ell. Sweet lord ; an' lips are neutral, they sboulcl maKe 



THE SIGNET. 1^ 

A .1'ist return of all they have received. 

Nor. My love, this is nio>t sweet neutrality : 
And I deliiriit to be the diplonuit 

To malve advanta^^e of so fond a leaofne ! [Kisses het^ 

Oh I soon, we shall seek ou" sonie holy man ; 
And with stronjf vow.s incorporate our hands, 
As love doth, now, incorporate onr hearts ! 

Enter St. Leger and Florence (hastily). 

St Leg, We crave your pardon for abrupt approach ; 
But liiue admits of no nice courtesy — 
Here is a herald, post-haste, from the Queen, 
Who-e court is held at Lordon, at this time ; 
With warnino; that thon shalt return, fortliwith, 
And ^ive attendance at her royal court — 
This hij^h behest allows of no delay, 
For we must tread upon this herald's heels ! 

Nor. Return to Enojland !— O, I'm fortune's slave I 

Etl. Yet, my sweet lonl, thou shalt return ao;ain? 

Nor. Return aojain ! — Alas ! I fed I'm mad ! — 
In my horizon a dark portent fleams — 
Foreiellino^ dano;er and disastrous fate ! 
O; my prophetic soul looks into time, 
And the dread future opens to my siirht ! — 
Ah ! Now, the Tower looms up to blast my eyes — 
There ! — there ! — I see the pao^eantry of death, 
And the stern headsman raise his bloody axe ! — 
Ah me !— 'Tis strange I — Is this a dream or truth? 

Ell. What ails my lord? 

St. Leg. Of what complexion is this strange disease? 

Flor. My lord, how farest thou now? 

Nor. 'Tis false ! Ah ! I see again — 'twas but a dream— 
Thi-^ — this is my Ellen — and this my friend? 

Ell. Ay, my lord ! 

Nor. St. Leger, we must, straight, away from here — 
In due obedience to the Queen's command . 
Ellen, farewell ! And may the gracious God, 
Whose arm protects the innocent and pure. 
And is a sure defence to those who trust. 
Guard thee from all harm ; and illume thy days 
With the sweet lights of peace and halcyon joy; 
And give thee strength to stem the surging tides 
And shifting currents of the stormy world ! 
Come ! — We must go, ere Heeting time can trace 
Another wrinkle on the dial's face ! [Exeunt. 

End of Act I. 



20 THE SIGNET. 



ACT ir. 

Scene I. — London — A Chamber in the Queen's Palace of 
Whitehall. 

Queen Elizabeth, discovered^ seated at a table] covered with 
State papers, parchments, 8rc., ^c, reading. 

Queen, Alone ! alone I with statutes and with laws, 
And all the musty muniments of rule — 
The ^lobe, the sceptre, and imperial crown — 
That vouch the mi^ht and loneliness of power! 
Alas, my soul ! Must I thus be alone, 
Forever, hedg'd with majesty and awe 
That scare my subjects when T deijjn to look. 
Or make them fawn and crinofe before my throne, 
Like abject slaves of oriental kings ! 

[Casting aside the paper—rising. 
Ah, me ! I'm weary of ever-lasting state — 
The dull enactment of the pomps and rules 
That vex the tedious hours of soven'iijnty. 
And dim the splendors of each .2^audy joy 
That statesmen measure with a gauge exact — 
E'en jealous of our golden misery ! 
I live upon the mountain-tops of power, 
That tower colossal — in perpetual ice — 
Enrob'd in shadows of continual clouds, 
Far, far, above the tranquil haunts of men ! 
Up here no zephyr wafts the breath of flowers : 
E'en Love's sweet stream is frozen in its source, 
And no soft touch of joy can rise so high. 
Oh ! far down in the lowliest vales of life 
Walks calm contentment, hand in hand with peace, 
Attun'd to sweetest measures of delight ; 
And flow the unchecked currents of the heart 
Whose fnrtile floods enrich the peasant's soul. 
Yet never reach the bosom of a Queen. 
What's in the sceptred majesty of Kinss — 
In glittering pomp, habiliments of gold — 
To drive contentment from a royal heart. 
And love and sweet tranquillity of mind ! 
Wliat maketh power such strong repugnance own 
Betwixt itself and peace and loving h«'\aits. 
And the pin-e virtues of domestic bli^^s? 
Alas ! I cannot know, save that our love 
Is gaug'd and governed by usages of state, 



THE SIGNET. 21 

And all the fond emotions of the soul 

Are weio^h'd in the inexorable scales 

Of safest polic)'' and ijovernment. 

Oh ! for one breath of sweet, all-joyons youth, 

Wliose memory falls upon the sterile soul 

Like golden dew drops from the fount of Love ! 

'Tis true, my g^lory is rellefted h.ici^ 

From this cold eminence of pride and strength, 

And the bejewerd lustre of this crown — 

Wliich weighs my aching brow with greater weight 

Than e'er the back of LortnrM Atla> bore — 

With added brightness and all-frorgeous hues 

Unto tlie azure of the highest Heaven ; 

Whose lights still gleam the wonder of the age 

And quenchless presage of immortal fame ! 

I am a Queen ! — but yet I am a woman; 

And in me glow the elements of love 

And joy that emparadise the heart ! 

All, all I'd yield for one true smile of love — 

One kiss from lips untainted with dcopit ! 

[Sits; takes up an Jiour-glass, 
How swiftly run the golden hours to death ! 
Ah, me ! As creep the sands from this small glass, 
To be upturn'd, then creep below again; 
So my dull hours steal onwards to the grave. 
With scarce a variation in their course. [Puts the glass down. 
This monitor should teach me to»^ndii'e. 
With voiceless patience, all the ills of life ! 
AwaJ^ vain dreams ! Til to ujy work again. 
And give my love to thee my glorious Realm ! [Reads. 

Elder Usher. 
What now, sirrah ? — 

Usher. My liege, Sir Thomis Norreys, just arriv'd, 
Craveili an au<lience of your Majesty. 

Queen {Aside). Norreys I — Be still my heart ! {Aloud). Admit 
him, sirrah. [Exit Usher. 

His quick return's an augury to hope. 
For love's a spur to prom|)titude and haste. 
Oh ! I have cast much on this single die — 
My peace, my happiness, my pride, my love ! 
Ye fates smile on this most auspicious hour 
And shape its issues in the mould of joy ! 
I love this man with the supremest love 
That ever held dominion o'er the heart ! 
And for his love I'd give my tinone — my power! 
Yet I must vail aflfection to my rank, 
And hide the woman in the Queen's proud port — 
And quench the light of love [ fain would fan. 
But he will woo me in a valiiant way. 



52 THE SIGNET. 

As he would storm the front of some strong foe ; 
And I shall yield me to his conquering Lve, 
A prize nnmatch'd to crown his victory ! 
He comes ! — I must re>nme my majesty, 
And wall my heart about with pride and awe, 
Or else 'twill yield before he make assault. 

Enter Norreys and Usher. 

Usher, Sir Tliomas Norreys ! [Exit USHEB. 

I^or. God save your majVsty ! My liege, I come 
With due obedience to your high command. 

Queen. My lord, I gi-'e thee welcome to my court I 
As tliou liast been tiie leader of my arms 
Where skill and valor have achieved their meed, 
Thou now Shalt move in the precedent rank 
Of the nobility of my fair realm, 
And live the nearest favorite of thy queen. 

Nor. My liegp, 1 thank thee for thy high esteem, 
And hopu to claim continuance of praise. 

Queen. My liigh esteem ! — Sir, 'tis not high esteem ! — 
My heart accords to thee a softfM* fame. 
Doth love in love no dear attraction find? 
CJanst thou not read the volume of my heart. 
Where thou art imag'd, whh a soldier's eyes, 
Nor lose its meaning, frnm ixcess of awe, 
When gazing on tiie gilded frame that hides 
Its truth and beauty from thy charmed sight? 
What !— Mu«t I make avowal of my love? 

Nor. {Kneeling). Pardon, my liege ; I understand thee not! 

Queen. Ki?e, li.-e. Sir Knight ! Thy pardon I shall grant, 
When thou Destowest the boon 1 deign to ask ! — 
My lord, I sue, a suppliant, for thy grace ! 

Nor. Most gracious Queen, I credit not my ears ! 

Queen. Avamit, ye strong, restrictive bonds of rank, 
And blushes that bepaint the modest cheek 
With hues that catch their brightness from the heart I 
I am a Queen ! — I will declare my love, 
And make nice customs bend unto my will. 
And shape the laws unto my own desires. 
My lord, I love thee ! Is that plain, my lord? 
Come, take my heart, my love, my wealth, my rank; 
And give me but thy love; for all my gifts ! 

Nor. My liege, I give thee high respect and love, 
That thy poor servant oweth to his queen. 
I fight for thee in war, counsel in peace, 
And guard thy sacred person from all harm. 
E'en though my life's the forfeit of my faith I 

Queen. Oil ! then, thou lovest me, Sir ! 



THE SIGNET. 23: 

Nor. My liegp, amazement shakes my soul with fear 
That makes me tremble, though thou deignest to smile. 
Pardon, my lu^ge ! My tongue can speak but truth, 
And truth prochiims tliat I shall ever lov.^ "* 

Thy gracious person and thy sovereign laws : 
But my affection lives in the respect 
And true allegiance that 1 owe to thee ! 

Queen. My lord, I ask not fealty, but thy love ! 

Nor. Oh ! a-k me not to yield to thee my heart, 
For thou wouldst use it as the tender flower 
Tliou pluckst to deck the beauty of thy brow. 
And share the glory of thy potent crown — 
Then cast by thee to perish in the dust, 
"Whilst o'er it thou dost walk with mighty tread 
In quest of newer ornaments and gauds — 
For it is wedded in the bans of love 
To one less lofty, but as true as thou ! 

Queen. Alas ! Is this the end of ihis sweet dream? 
Sir, darest thou loudly vaunt thy love to me? 
O, that I could now strike thee as thou stan^^st 
"With deep damnation and re|)rieveless grief ! — 
Yet, sir, I would not harm thee for the world, 
For thou art dearer than my soul to me. 
Alas ! I'm mad ! 'I'his deep distraction makes 
My soul to shudder in her seat of life, 
And reason tremble on the brink of sense ! 
Out of my sight !— Yet, stay thee here awhile ! 
Oh ! Sir, I'll make thee suti'er for this shame 
And vile abas<^ment that thou bringst me to ! 
What, ho ! What, ho ! — Here, quick— quick — thou slave ! 

[Enter Usher, 
Say to Lord Walsinghara, we wish him here, 
Forthwith, on business of great urgency. 

Usher. Ay, ray liege. [Exit USHEB. 

Queen. My lord, a fitting guard shall soon be here, 
To eive. to thee due conduct to the Tower ! 

Nor. Alas ! my liege, upon what accusation? 

Queen. Because thou darest to love against my will, 
And vaunt'st thou hold't another in thy heart. 
O'er which I'll reign as mistress or as Queen ! 

Nor. Pardon, my liege — Alas ! my fate is sealed I 

Enter Walsingham and Guard. 

Queen. My lord, arrest that most ungrateful man» 

And take him with all due and proper speed 

Unto the Tower, to wait our sovereign will 1 
Wal. {Starting). Norre^s? — My liege — 
Queen. ]!^o parley, Sir; our governance obey ? 



24 THE SIGNET. 

Wal. Vouch.cafe, my lord, fo yieM to me thy sword. 

No7\ Yield thee my sword ? — Ah ! come and take it, Sir I 

Wal. My lord, it is a u?asre of the realm, 
And not my wish, that speaks in tliis demand. 

Queen, Darest, thou, to front our sorvaiit in our face I 
Yield thee forthwith, or else our jjunrd shall wrest 
From thee a due observance of our will ! 

No'-. Must I surrender the<\ my trusty blade? 
Alas ! with thee I o;ive my life and fame 
That thou hast made and shielded with thy strength : 
For soon the arm that witdded thee shall lie 
Wither'd and nerveless in the silent o^rave, 
And worms shall feast upon its pith and strength; 
And ru«t shall mar the splendor of thy bnams 
That oft have smote the cre>ts of proudest foes 
Like scathing lightning from impending clouds! 
My lord, I yield ny honor and my sword 
Into thy keeping; see thou guardest them well. 

[Hands Mmh's sword, 
[Exeunt Norreys. Walstngham, and Guabd, 

Queen. Go thy way, thou proud, presnmptuous man, 
Who dares to scorn the love I dt-ign to give ! 
My love hath slnmber'd like volcanic tires 
That boil and surge in Etna's tlery breast; 
But now with strong eruption it oVr-leaps 
The shallow limits that contin'd its power ; 
Consumes and scorches with its lurid tide 
All — all — that interrupts its burning course. 
Alas! I can't control myself— for Tm mad ! 
What shall I do?— This Knight's of large repute, 
Well sVill'd in all the ways of chivalry— 
The paragon of courtesy and wit. 
He standeth high in popular esteem. 
And draws his lineage from the proudest peers I 
Oh ! my fair fame shall quail before the wrath 
Of the puissant peerajje of the realm, 
Unless this charge I can avouch with proof 
Strong and impregnable as very triuh. 
What shall I do? Oh ! quick invention work 
And coin the impress of a cunning scheme ! 
Now, let me see? Ah ! now 'tis very clear ! 
I'll charge he dar'd insult me with his love, 
In most compulsive and unlawful mode, 
Which act's, by law of this my sovenign realm, 
High treason, and its ptmishment is death. 
This with my potent voice I shall avow, 
And who shall dare gain-ay when I accuse? 
And shall I slay where most I look for love? — 
Ah ! no — for then he only shall be mine ; 



THE SIGNET. 25 

For he will take my love when death shall point 

For his reprievement from the grave to me ! 

"What deed is this ! Oh ! in the after time 

My name shall live in chronicles of Eld, 

Link'd with abasement and all-damning deeds-r- 

My charities, my mercies, and my loves 

Shall sleep with me in the all-speechless tomb, 

Whilst vice and crime shall bruit my name aloud 

In the wide hearing of the gaping world ! 

Is this the fate of Kings ? — O, for the balm of tears ! — 

Oh ! lam wretched — suited but to weep — : 

Come, come, pure tears and lull my heart to sleep ! 

Curtain— End of Act II. 



ACT III. 

Scene I. — Ireland — A Chamber at Clan-Carthy Castle — Ellen 
and Florence, discovered^ embroidering. 

Enter Page. 

Ell. Hath yet no messenger from England come 
Who beareth tidings from my lord to me? 

Page. No. my dear lady. 

Eli. Alas ! the fates were envious of my joy, 
And pluck'd him from me ere my heart became 
Familiar with the aspect of my bliss ; 
And now its look is wrinkl'd o'er with grief 
That dims the brightness of the countenance ! 
Oo thou, my boy, and with expectancy 
That like an Argus holdeth all in sight, 
Straight, seize the- herald's thought when he's arriv'd 
And bear it me with the celerity 
That thou wouldst kiss thy sweetheart's rosy lips ; 
An' her approval and occasion matched. 

Page. Madame, I obey. [Exit PAGE. 

Ell. Ah, me! 

Flor. {Mocking) Ah, me I Thou art a monument to love, 
And thy poor heart is his untimely tomb. 
Oh ! make thy dullest sigh his epitaph : 
Then, as lamenting mourners, ofttimes, do, 
Weep till tliy woe runs out thy flowing eyes, 
Through which, descending, beam the rays of joy 
That deck the funeral with the hues of hope ! 
Laugh at the going of this idle mood. 
As an ungracious gu^st when he departs. 
3 



26 THE SIGNET. 

Ell. {Thows down her work). Oh ! I'm a- weary of this dull 
employ ! 
My thoughts move faster than the creeping hours, 
And expectation bring'eth back tny love ! 
Oh ! Love, speed like witig-footed Mercury — 
A messenger betwixt \ny lord and me. 
And woo him back to my true-loving heart ! 
What doth my love this hour? Doth sleep, or wake? — 
Doth ride his steed? — Doth move 'mid courtly throngs 
That swell the glittering retinue of state 
That live attendant on our sovereign liege — 
Another star in the brig ;t galaxy 
That circle her with lustre and renown? 
Ah, me ! An' love sways o'er his heart as mine, 
Quick, he'd forswear the splendors of the court, 
And seek some bower — where smile out the stars 
From the cerulean setting of the sky ; 
And balmy airs emparadise the hour : 
And — and — 

Flor. And — and — what, forsooth? [Mocking. 

Ell. And — and — dream of me ! 

Flor. Sweet lady, thou art drunk with ecstacy 
Dost think thy love mopes in the busy court 
Of his fair Queen, and sighs for thee, poor heart ? 
Oh ! love's contagious to the blood of youth, 
And there the fond infection's so wide spread, 
That all do feel or feign the sweet disease : 
Statesmen write sonrets, and the beaux write laws; 
Mars fighteth only for tlie smiles of love, 
And Cupid is the lackey of each Knight ! 
Dost hope that Norreys can escape the plague? 
Hath thy dear love, in sooth, made him so dull. 
That he's unmindful of a beaming eye — 
An ankle Venus would have deign'd to wear, 
A rosy lip, and form symmetrical, 
And the soft glossing of an amorous tongue — 
The gentle prelude to each loving act? 
Man, like Narcissus in the legend old, 
Looks in a woman's face as in a pool ; 
And loves his image that is mirror'd there, 
And not the brightness that illumes his shade, 
Albeit it gleameth from her vestal heart 
That's ever secret to his only look ! 
Old love is soon forgotten for the new : 
For men change love as often as their coats, 
And with as much alacrity and ease — 
The newest facing is the most esteemed, 
Albeit 'tis but a mockery of gold ! 
Alack ! E'en now, in the consenting ear 



THE SIGNET. 27 

Of some kind dame, he breathes his ardent suit ; 
And whilst he gazeth on her melting orbs 
That beam in azure as the stars in heaven, 
And blooming richness of her pouting lips — 
A roseate arch of promise to his hope — 
He keeps no thought of tliee and his fair troth, 
But yields his heart to the enchanting spell ! 
Ha ! ha ! dost thou hold him true ? 

Ell. Cease! cease ! — Thy impeachment's slanderous — wrong. 
To slander thus is but to prove him true. 
My heart declares his faith with loud acclaim : 
Albeit he spoke his shame, I'd hold it false, 
And ever hug the sweet credulity 
That finds acceptance in my deepest soul ; 
And brings more joy. delight and happiness 
Than would the loves of all the world besides, 
Though they were jewell'd with the wealth of Ind 
And gorgeous in the ciowned might of Kings ! 
Certes, he's true : like the all-constant steel 
That seeks its star, in tempest and in calm, — 
Albeit when shining or concealed in clouds, 
Though myriad orbs count its true constancy 
And strive to break its strong, unswerving faith : 
So my dear love, with strong allegiance turns, 
Forever, unto me, the star of all his life — 
Through all vicissitudes of changing time. 
And holds the fond affection of my heart, 
Albeit each beauty of the glaring court 
Should woo him, with the blandishments and crafts' 
That oft entice the soul irom holiest faith. 
Norreys is true to me I — And I am blest 
In the sweet creed : no ! no ! he can't be false ! 

Flor. Egad ! Thy love o'erflows thy very eyes ; 
Cupid hath cast his sorcery o'er thee 
And thou canst see the folly thou commit'st ! 
St. Leger's true, but not a fool withal : 
If beauty ogle him, he'll ogle back ; 
If she but ope her arms, he'll fall therein ; 
And if she raise her lip, he'll kiss her, straight— 
Nor stop to weigh the niceties of love. 
Or punishment his mistress may intllct ; 
And all the dire calamities and ills 
That lack of faith will bring about his head. 
Oh ! he is bold ; I love him for his valor : 
He's quick ; I love himfor celerity : 
He's true ; I love him for his fealty. 
Ah ! like the bee, he sips at ail the tlowers. 
Yet settles on the bloom that hath the honey. 
Avaunt ! thou blinking God that makes folk mad ! 



28 THE SIGNET. 

Give me a man, no milk-sop, for a lover, 
Who hath the wit to ask for what he wants 
And to construe a nay into an ay, — 
For oft the tongue is traitor to tlie heart ! 

Ell. Shame on thee, for a most un!jraciou3 maid ! 
Thy tongue speaks scandal of the God of love ! 

Flor, Ungracious ! — Then I'll sing the praise of love 
In some quaint rhymes I do remember well ; 
Wrought by a minstrel who, unknown to fame, 
Lives, yet, in the sweet music he bequeathed. 
Come, gracious maid, and join me in the catch. 

Ell. In sooth, I will ; 'twill wliile away the time 
That sits so heavy on my aching heart. 
Flor. (Sings). 

Oh ! Cupid's changeful thing, 

Whose life's a smile or a sigh ; 
Who liieth on his rosy wing — 

A transient butter-lly ! 
Oh ! who would retard his flight? — 

To catch him — ah me I — who would try 
If left alone — he'll soon alight : 
You'll scare him if you cry ! 
Ell. (Sings). 

Oh ! Cupid's a constant thing, 

Whose life's a soul or a heart ; 
Though, oft, he leaves a bitter sting, 

His honey heals the smart ! — 
Oh ! lure him with thy fondest wiles, 

Whene'er he seeks to fly : 
And if he can escape thy smiles — 
Then catch him with a sigh ! 
Flor. (Sings). 

Oh ! Cupid's a joyous boy. 

Whose birth's a smiling kiss ; 
Whose cradle is the sweetest joy, 

Whose constant muse is bliss ! — 
He is sweetest when he smiles ; 
He's lovliest when he's gay ; 
And he, always, most beguiles. 
When he is most in play ! 
Ell. (Sings). 

Oh ! Cupid's a serious boy. 

Whose birth's a sparkling tear 
Which, though it burns, hath no alloy. 

And flows from joy, not fear : 
He is sweetest when you sigh ; 

He's dearest wlieu you're sad : 
For then — he's ready to fly ; 

And when he stays, you're glad ! 



THE SIGNET. 29 

Flor, (Sings). 

Oh ! Cupid's a cunning rogue 

Who steals the sweets from life ; 
And bringeth follies into vogue 

That make eternal strife ! 
Egad ! — Who would close his eyes, 

And let him play each trick ? 
Pshaw ! — And he brings sweet paradise ; 
He, often, makes you sick I 
Ell. (Sings). 

Oh ! Cupid's an honest rogue 

Who steals, then pays you back : 
His theft is ever the prologue 

Of giving what you lack ! 
Oh ! oft, he steals your heart ; 
And then, he'll filch a kiss — 
An' you keep still, and wont depart, 
You're particeps criminis ! 
Flor. Ha, ha, ha ! bravo ! tliis is merry ! — 
W EH. Ay, good faith ! — This is most excellent fooling ! 

Flor. Oh ! is not this a far more pleasing way * 
Of goading onwards the slow-footed hours 
That lie betwixt thee and thy lord's return. 
Than sighing, gaping, moaning and lament 
That wipe bright joyance from the face of Time, 
A.nd fill his wrinkles with the bitterest tears 1 

Enter Page and Herald. 

Ell. In sooth, it is : O, let us then be gay ! 
Alas ! what brings thee here, with tragic brow. 
To mar the merry humor of this hour? — 
O, speak thy news ! — For in thy countenance 
Thy heart hath cast the shadows of the tomb ! 
Is Norrej^s dead ? — Then speak, and let me die — 
For earth hath lost its glory and its light, 
And I shall seek his spirit in the grave ! 
Hath harm befallen him ? — Then, speak thou — quick ! — 
That I may bear him succor, in his need ! — 
Hath illness clutch'd him in her vile embrace? — 
Then, let me woo him from his malady 
To rosy health and these my loving arms : 
For love can exorcise him fiom disease ! — 
Is he in chains? — Then, let me break his chains ; 
And fetter him in the soft bonds of love ! — 
Speak ! — 0, speak ! — 

Flor. Sweet lady, calm thyself ! — 

Page. My lady, this messenger, with speed, hath come 
Direct from our high sovereign's court, — 



30 THE SIGNET. 

With loving greeting from the lord St. Leger; 
Who saith Sir Thomas Norreys lieth, now, 
Imprisoned, at London, in the Tower, 
On Charge of high treason against the Queen ! — 

Ell. Ala? ! — They'll murder him !— tliey'll slay him ! 
And I'm not there even to mourn for him ! 

Flor. What further say you, messenger? 

Herald. Naught : save that tliou and my dear lady here, 
Shall keep of hope and courage to the end ; 
Whereas Sir Thomas Norreys's innocent and true : — 
And shall incur no penalties of law. 
When on this charge arraign' d before his peers ! 

Flor. You may retire ! — [Exeunt Page and HERALD. 

Ell, Thank God ! there is a star in this dark night 
Of helpless grief, and. miserable doom ! 
Alas ! — Must he be tried for vile offence. 
When he's as guiltless as a sinless saint? 
Shame on the statutes and edicts of the realm ! 
When o'er-weening tyranny strikes down the high; 
On whose proud brow no stain could ever fall, 
For Purity o'er him her 3egis bears . 
To guard him from infirmities of guilt : 
And Honor on him like an angel waits 
To keep him in the ways of peace and law ! 

Flor. List to me, lady : husband up thy strength ; — 
Cast from thy mind this melancholy mood ; 
And follow me to rescue of thy love ! — 

Ell. I lead, not follow, e'en to our sovereign's court, — 
And there avouch his innocence aloud ; 
And put a tongue in all his noble deeds 
And gracious acts ; achievements bold and high, 
That plead for him with stronsfcr eloquence 
Than all the sagos of this mighty realm ; 
An' Virtue hath not lost her sway on earth ! 
I'll laud his merits in the Queen's own ear ; 
And paint exact his lineaments and form 
Of peerless grace and strength Herculean ; 
And his great glory as a valiant Knight. — 
Till his acquittance she durst not gainsay ! 

Flor. Alas ! sweet lady : law will have its course ! 

Ell. Then, I appeal from law to Justice, pure 
As first she came, vicegerent of the Heavens— 
With her nice gauge to shape the acts of men 
To the divinest equities of God ! 
Though she be blind, I know she can but feel. 
By the unerring iuotinct of the Truth, 
That my dear lord is innocent and true ! — 

Flor. But, Justice, oft, doth neither see nor feel ! — 

Ell. Then, I appeal to God upon his throne, 



THE SIGNET. 31 

Who reigns superior to the sceptred sway 

And armed majesty of earthly Kings, 

In the eternal Chancery of Heaven : — 

I appeal from man to God — from law to truth — 

From human weakness to Omnipotence ! — 

Follow ! — I'll put my faith unto the test, 

And trust that God my humble work will bless ; 

And from the depths of this my deep despair, 

Lift me to joy — in answer to my prayer ! [Exeunt. 

END OF ACT III. 



ACT IV. 

Scene I. — London — An Audience-room^ intJie Queen^s Palace of 
Whitehall. 

Enter Queen Elizabeth and Usher. 

Queen. Bid the lords of Biu-ghley and of Walsingham 
Await our leisure in our ante-room !-— 

Usher. Ay, my liege !— {Exit USHER. 

Queen. Oh ! conscience will not sleep, though I command — 
For it's above the sovereignty of Kings ; 
And only yieldeth to tho sway of God ! 
My soul if vex'd with my strong guilt and shame ! 
I cannot rest ! — Sharp vengeance pricks me on 
To urge tliis accusation to extremest verge 
And sure destruction, of this doomed lord : 
Yet love would wean my heat t from hate and wrath, 
And melt it with the softest lenity ! — 
He must not die : and yet— he shall not live ; 
Unless his heart obdurate he shall yield 
To the solicitation of my love ! 
He shall not hold another in his heart. 
O'er which I'd reign with absohitest sway, 
And do the gracious offices of love 
For any one — save me his sovereign liege. 
I would not slay him ; for he's free from guilt, — 
Of pleasing form and great nobility ; 
And skilled in all the theoric of war ; 



32 THE SIGNET. 

And arts chivalric — and the scholar's lore • — 

And yet— God's death !— he shall not go unwhipt, 

For his presumptuous treachery to me ! — 

Conscience declares me wrong, and stings me deep. 

For his accusal tyrannous and false ; 

Yet love can vouch a palliation strong, 

For this unjust impeachment of the truth — 

Albeit lie yield compliance with my suit, 

And give his heart a forfeit for his head. 

My mind is toss'd upon the surging tide 

Of wild confusion and perplexity ; 

And long hath lost direction of the right ! 

One vow of love could woo me to his side, 

And change me from a devil to a saint ; 

And wrath assume the quality of love. 

Again, I'll test him, with appeal of love ; — 

Before I cast him from my heart to death ! 

Oh I Love imbue his spirit with the heat 

And warm complexion of my fiery soul ; 

That the hot currents of our hearts may fuse 

And mix in burning torrent of deliglit ! — 

I make assay ! What ho? what ho ! 

Enter Usher. 

Conduct the prisoner to our presence, straight. 
Brought here, by our direction, from the Tower. 

Usher. I obey, ray liege !— [Exit USHER. 

Queen. He comes ! Oh ! I musi act a tyrant's part; 
And blunt the tender touch of lenity 
On edicts harsh and adamantine laws : 
Where most I love, I most must feign I hate — 
And launch the thunder > of my august throne 
Upon the head I fain would rock to bliss 
In the soft cradle of my heaving breast. 
Avaunt ! — Ye glittering muniments of state 
That stand in mock of majesty and power; 
And purple vestments that do bar a Queen 
From all approach and comity of men. 
As bulwarks guarded with encircling spears. 
Away ! — Thou golden mark of majesty, 

[Tah'mg croivn from her head. 
Whose burning circle sears my tortur'd brain— 
I hate ye ! — For ye as barriers stand 
Betwixt me and atfections of the world. 
Oh ! I am manacled in gilded gyves, 
And prisan'd in the limits of a crown ! — 
A slave can shake his fetters from his limbs, 
And find a respite from their galling weight : 



THE SIGNET. • 3$ 

Yet mine upon me are so firmly fixed, 
I cannot break them with my sceptre's might : 
For as I move I hear them clank behind — 
And at each step, they pull me to the dust ! — 

[Falls into a seat. 
But soft ! — I hear the armed tread of men ! — 
Avaunt, the woman ! — I shall act the Queen ! — 

[Rising and putting on the crown. 
With thee, I put on majesty and power; 
And he shall yield to love, or yield to might ! 

Enter Norreys. 

Nor. My liege, may truth and honor on thee wait ; 
And God preserve thee in the ways of peace ! 

Queen. My lord, my majesty hath bow'd to love : 
Again, I've warn'd thee from imprisonment; 
And, straight, shall grant thee franchisement and life, 
Upon condition that thou shapest thy will 
To fit the act and complement of love. [N'ORREYS Jcneels. 

'Tis love, not homage that thy Queen exacts ! 

Nor. My liege, turn not thy gracious countenance, 
Forever, from me ; but enrich my life 
With thy high favors and approving smiles. 
I am no braggart, yet I dare avouch 
That.all my life I'v pass'd in serving thee, 
Since reason gave direction to desire : — 
My tongue hath ever counselled thee in peace ; 
My arm hath ever fought for thee in war ; 
My dearest efforts I have ever given 
To make the strength and glory of thy realm, 
And ward all danger from thy sacred throne ; 
That thou mayest hold tliy seat in golden peace. 
For all my service I but ask one gift — 
A boon that e'en the slave is not gainsaid — 
The right to love as my own heart elects ! 

Queen. My lord, I grant to thee the right to love ; 
But thou must blend thy love with loyalty. 
Spurn not my mercy, nor my guerdon, Sir ; • 
For mercy saves thee from impending doom. 
And love shall lift thee to the topmost rank ! 

Nor. {Rising). Thou'lt give me rank ? — I ask it not of thee r 
I plead for life, enfranchisement and love ! 
Titles, my liege, are but external shows, 
And not the native colors of the heart — 
For, oft, the slate and majesty of power, 
Emblazon'd vestures, and rich garbs of gold. 
The crest, the garter, escutcheon and the crown ; 
And all the mummery of heraldic fools, 



34 THE SIGNET. 

Are as proud banners to a host of knaves, 
That mock, not mark their brawry or worth ! 
Our honors live but in the breath of men, 
Or in the eyes of our obsequious slaves ; 
And, as the moon, shine with a borrowed light; 
But honor liveth, as the fixed sun, 
That ever blazeth in the firmament, 
Illumin'd by his own and quenchless fires — 
Albeit the envious clouds do veil his face 
From admiration and the sight of men ! 
O, I'd not give one smile of my dear love 
For all the glory of thy monarchy ! 
Vouchsafe to keep thy'lionors, good my liege ; 
And let me keep my honor from attaint ! 

Queen. God's death ! — Beware ! beware, my quick'ning wrath I 
Ha ! — take thy love ; and lose thy love and head : 
But take my love ; and gain thy love and power — 
Not the vain name of King — but all liis might ; 
Not the throned seat of state — but all its jo5^s ! 
Yield to my will, or thou shalt, surely, die ! — 

Nor. Then, give me love and death; an' it must be ! 
I fear not death : — I will his coming greet 
As an old friend ; for I have met hiiu oft, 
When war's dread thunders shook the embattl'd field, 
And blood hath robed me in the purple garb 
That Kings and Conquerors are proud to wear. 
Oh ! I shall find a letlie in the grave ; 
Yet I shall love her even in the tomb : 
For love shall never die — but borne to heaven, 
E'en unto God shall give another joy ! 
I am a freeman ; — albeit I am no King ; 
And he who's free is greater than a King — 
E'en though he die to gain his liberty. 
I shall not yield !— Give me my love, or death ! — 

Queen. I am not wont to bend my knee to man, 
Nor derogate from my high queenly state : 
Yet, I — I pray thee break thy stubborn will 
Against the strong commandment of my power, 
And gain, alike, thy liberty and life ! — [Kneels. 

Nor. My liege, it cannot be : — 'tis gainst the act 
Of my o'erswaying conscience and my heart ! — 

Queen [Rising). Then, thou shalt die ! Go ! go ! from out my 
sight !— 
No more ask grace or lenity of me ! 

Nor. Farewell ! my liege, — and when I sleep in death, 
Proclaim I died a martyr to my love ! — 

Queen. Ha !— bear thy follies with thee to the grave ! — 
Oh !^God, pray bend this man's unronquer'd heart ! 

[Turns from Mm and iveeps. 



THE SIGNET. 35 

Nor. Oh ! thou relent'st, my liege : thy eyes o'erflow 
With the sweet clews of pity and of g-race ! — 

Queen. Go, Sir ! — obey the mandate of thy Queen ; 
See not our tears : but fear our majesty ! — 

Nor. My lieo^e, my love's no treason 'gainst the realm, 
Nor standeth in the scope of punishment 
The laws and edicts of the realm inflict 
Upon the traitorous and the g;uilty act : 
Whereas my love is true and innocent ! 
Oh ! love is no creation of the will ; 
But the divinest instinct of the soul — 
That lives in nature, not in outward act ; 
As fragrance unto flowers — lic^ht to stars, 
Or music to the ever tuneful lute ! 
It comes unwoo'd ; an' it is woo'd it flies ! 
Sure, 'tis no crime to love or be beloved ? 
Doth the bright stream that bears upon its breast 
The light and beauty of the quenchless stars ; 
The zephyr that with kisses woos the flowers. 
And steals away the sweetness of their breath ; 
The loving hand that wantons with the lute, 
Whose heart awakens to the dulcet act. 
Like Memnon to the kisses of the Sun- 
Stand in impeachment and the pains of law ? 
So man dotli look into a woman's face, 
And from that look he never looks again. 
I look'd into my Ellen's beauteous face 
And our eyes mix'd, and thence sprang sweetest love, 
Whose light shall never die, though it be dimmed 
In bloody act of butchery and death ; 
But still shall live to guide us unto heaven ! 
Pardon, my liege ; nor banish me, forever, 
From love, from rank, from liberiy, from life ! 

Queen. Thou whetst ray vengeance with thy eloquence : 
Go from us. Sir, back to "imprisonment ! — 

Nor. Alas ! — My only hope is now in heaven ! 

[Exit NORREYS. 

Queen. Virtue that maketh him a very God 
But addeth fuel to the love that burns 
Within my soul, consuming all my peace ! 
I fear me that I play a losing game : 
For I am matched with honesty and truth 
That hold each trump that is within the deck — 
The hands are dealt, and tlie game's begun ; 
And I must use the cards I chance to have, 
Nor can t play a trick to win a point : 
For as the dealer leads I follow suit. 
And he can trump me to the world — a fool ! 
Let Alcides and Lychas play at cards. 



36 THE SIGNET. 

And chance not strength shall arbitrate the match ! 

He knoweth not my weakness, nor shall know : 

For he shall yield, else the block his doom ! [Rings hell. 

Enter Usher. 

Conduct the lords of Biirgliley and of Walsingham 
Unto our presence, as it was ordained ! 

Usher. Forthwith, my liege. [Exit USHBB. 

Queen. Who takes a step in the dark ways of sin, 
Entereth upon a labyrinth of crime ; 
And at each turn moves farther from the light, 
Until he loseth both his clew and his soul. 
Ha ! — I am in, and I must bear me through ; 
For I am barr'd, forever, from return ! — 

Enter Bukghley and Walsingham. 

Bur. Good morrow ; and heaven bless your majesty ! 

Wdl. And guard your throne with wisdom and with peace ! 

Queen. My lords, you're summoned to this high inquest 
Touching the treason of Sir Thomas Norreys; 
And we command j'^ou say what is the law 
That stands in the enforcement or the stop 
Of our just right and higli prerogative 
To try this traitor for his base offence, 
And make a due infliction of its pains : 
Speak, my lord of Burghley ; and season well, 
Thy judgment with thy wise, experienced lore ! 

Bur. My gracious liege, I shall avow the truth, 
Albeit unto the ears of majesty. 
Sir Thomas Norreys is but simple Knight, 
And not a peer of this thy sovereign realm. 
The laws and custom of thy monarchy 
That live from usage immemorial 
And due enactment of thj?- Parliament, 
Give thee a warrant equal to Assize, 
For trial and conviction in the realm ; 
When the offender is of less degree 
And quality than peer : but Parliament 
Alone can try arraignment of a peer. 
My judgment voucheth there's no hinderance 
To limit thy prerogative and power ! 

Queen. My lord of Walsingham, what counsel'st thou 
In bar or the fulfillment of our power? 

Wal. My tongue, your highness, is unused to weave 
The silken woof of assentation, and 
Flattery soft, that courtiers make to veil 
The blinded gaze of majesty from truth : 



THE SIGNET. 37 

I speak plain truth, and bear the penalty ! 

The mighty Kings, from whom thou draw'st thy life, 

Push'd strong prerogative to topmost bent ; 

Yet never dar'd to break the barriers 

That hedge the rights and privacy of men ; 

Unless by act of tyranny and wrong 

And 'gainst the vouch and warrant of the law : 

For from usurping John, at Kunnyraede, 

The dauntless barons of the realm did wrest 

The magna charta of our liberties. 

That marks the limits of thy sovereignty : 

And its strong bourne thou durst not over-step, 

Else thou Shalt shake thy peaceful government 

T'rom its well fix'd equality and poise. 

And hurl it into anarchy and wrack ! 

As the bright orbs that gem the firmament, 

Each hath his separate use and separate sphere ; 

Yet move by one direction to one end — 

The sun to give the light and governance 

Unto the stars, that give obedience ; 

Tet each an equal in his proper sphere ; 

With naught to mar the dulcet harmony. 

Save when confusion shakes the starry cope. 

And errant meteors gleam in mimicry 

Of the effulgence of the fixed sun : 

So is the state of this thy government — 

Thou art the source of majesty and power, 

To which thy subjects owe obedience ; 

Yet each is free in his peculiar rights. 

Until he vergeth from the golden course 

That law and fealty has prescribed for him, 

And standeth in impeachment of the law 

For his infraction of the common weal ! 

An' thou dost hold the trial of this lord. 

Thou act'st without authority of law I — 

Queen. God's death, my lord ! — rehearse no buried laws, 
Whose titles stand as dateless pyramids. 
Derogate in moldering dust of Time, 
A mockery of monumental show — 
To mark the death and rottenness they hide. 
Beneath external pomp and blazonry. 
We are the Queen of this our sovereign realm ; 
And law shall bow to us — not we to law — 
Our will's our law — and it we'll execute. 
Albeit a thousand statutes barred our way. 
And bristl'd o'er with sharpest penalties 
As an embattl'<l host with gleaming spears ! 
We'll sweep all petty stops from out ou,r course, 
And move to the accomplishment and end 
4 



38 THE SIGNET. 

Of our just venofeance on this traitorous lord. 
Away with law ! — Our wishes are our laws I — 
We shall the traitor try and hold convict ; 
And none have warrant to gainsay the act ! 

Wal. Pardon, my liege ; tiie laws I did not make ; 
But only vouch them, at thy high command ! 

Queen. Ha ! — Who art thou to vouch the law to us, 
And make sweet eeho hoarse with loud exclaims 
And iteration of thy libi'rties? 

Wal. I am a freeman — one who dares to speak 
The truth, e'en to the front of majesty ! 

Queen. A freeman ! — Ha ! — In sooth, thou art too free ; 
Yet we shall make thee freer than thou art ! — 
Go ! — Tiiou art free to get thee from our court ; 
Free to live without our countenance ; 
Free to forego our benefits and grace ; 
Free to hide in banishment and shame. 
Thou art a freeman — use thy franchisement I — 
Go, Sir ! — whereas no vassal we can own 
Who dares defeat our just and high intent, 
Albeit with show and color of the truth. 
We trust, my lord, thou like'st thy freedom well ! 

Wal. Mj^ liege, the innocent are ever free : 
For virtue gives contentment calm and sweet. 
And peace that is tLe benison of God ! 
I go, — but Flonor heralds me the way ! 

Queen. Cease ! cease ! my lord ; and bear a silent tongue ; 
Else thou shalt move us from our wonted love. 
My lord of Burghle}^ we would speak with thee. 

[Going. Noise within. 

Enter Ellen and Florence, (hastily; disguised in male attire; 
Florence with a lohij)). 

Ell. {Kneeling). My liege. I crave thy highness' grace : 
Protect me from the rude licentious men 
Who would debar me from access to thee ! 

Queen. What brin* s thee here with rhis unseemly haste 
And strange encroachment in our royal court? 
Speak out, fair boy, for thou hast naught to fear. 
For we shall grant protection that thou cravest I 

Enter St. Leqer {Unseen). 

Ell. {Rising). Straight, my liege, from Ireland! come-- 
Witli my true friend — companion of my grief, 
In quest of justice and sweet lenity : 
My liege, I pray reprievement for my friend, 
Sir Thomas Norreys — for he's innocent — . 



THE SIGNET. 39 

Oh I his pure spirit scorneth wrong and crime, 
And loves the light of Honor and of Truth : 
As the proud eagle fears to touch the earth ; 
Yet flies unhooded in the brightest heaven ! 

Queen. What ! — durst thou laud a traitor in our face? — 

Ell. Traitor, my liege ! — Sweet patience curb my tongue ! — 
I heie avouch him free from treachery : 
Who says he's false avovvs a damned lie ; 
And I'll carve out the craven on his crest. 
With my true blade, or die in liis defense I — 

Queen. Darest thou gamsay our word, an' we proclaim 
He is a traitor 'gainst the realm and us? 

Ell. Pardon, my liege ; I crave thy patience still. — 
He is no traitor, and he's innocent : 
For the pure tide suck'd from his mother's heart, 
That warm'd his crescent soul to life and strength, 
And nerved his sinews with the pith of power. 
Ebbs from that ocean that e'er flows the veins 
Of the high peerage of thy mighty realm — 
Whereof the centre is the sovereign's hr-art ; 
Nor can the taint of crime infect iiis blood, 
Unless the tide's corrupted in its source ! 
My liege, my liege, Norreys is innocent : 
For his pure life is as the milky- way ; 
Mark'd with a myriad stars and not a stain ! 

Queen. And who art thou that with a golden tongue 
Dost bruit his fame and excellence of life ; 
As though thou wert a mcosenger from heaven? 

Ell. I — I am his friend : one who loves him well — 
And with a greater love than man e'er knew 
For man ; but such as woman finds and keeps ! 

Queen. Approach, fair lad ! — We like thy comely looks, 
Thy boldness and thy constancy of heart : 
Thy face is fair to hide so brave a soul, 
And thou wilt be a hero when thou growest 
Unto the siege and hardihood of men. 
We cannot grant reprievement to thy friend ; 
For he doth stand within the ban of law, 
And must abide a trial ior his crime. 
Here is our signet — take and keep this ring ; 
For it will give thee entrance to the Tower, 
And thou canst see thy friend, though thou canst save I 

Ell. Oh ! thanks, my liege, I'll ever bear thy ring, — 
And it shall herald me unto my friend ! 
(Aside) Oh ! happy chance— this giveth victory ! — 

St. Leg. (Aside). Who is this lad that claimeth fellowship 
With Thomas Norreys : and from Ireland ? — 
My mind doth keep no image of his face. 
This is some strange imposture of the sense : 



40 THE SIGNET. 

Yet I will wait, for good oft comes of ill, 
And interruption may forestall the act. 

Queen. My lord of Burghley, thon'lt withdraw with us : 
We wish thy counsel in this grave affair. 

[Exeunt Queen and Burghley^, 

Wal. {To Ellen). Young Sir : I crave a word with thee. 

Ell. Ay, my lord. 

St. Leg. (To Florence). Thou sayest thou art the comrade of 
ray friend, 
Sir Thomas Norreys — whose imprisonment 
Hath brought thee unto court, from Ireland : — 
I fought with him, when his triumphant arms 
Pluck'd laurell'd victory from the fieicest foe ! — 
My memory holds no likeness of thy face ? 

Flor. Thy memory, then, Sir Knight, is as thy tongue ; 
And holdeth lies far better than the truth \ 

St- Leg. What ! — Durst thou flount me to my very teeth? 

Flor. Ay, gentle Sir ; and lash thee for thy wrath : 
Thou art of such a tame and gentle mood, 
Thou needVt a whipping to enliven thee T [ Whips him, 

St. Leg. Hold !— hold !— Else I shall slay thee for thy mirth- 
Draw and defend thyself; for thou shalt die. 
For this base passage that thou put'st me to !— [Draws. 

Flor. Thy tongue is keener than thy vaunting sword, 
And thou wilt use it quicker than thy blade : 
I shall not die, an' thou shalt slay me. Sir— 
For cowards brawl and never act withal ; 
And fools with vaunts hide lack of valiantness ! 

St Leg. Then, I'm no coward; for I, straight, shall act — 
Take back thy lying slander, else I strike I — 

Flor. (Draws). He's mad, and I can't fight a lunatic : 
For 'tis against my oath of chivalry. 

St. Leg. A lunatic ! — Thou shalt not scorn me more :— 
Stand on thy guard — now, by the Gods, thou diest ! — 

Flor. (Handles her sword awhwardhj, and then throws it down 
bettveen St. Leger and herself). There lies my falchion — 
dare not o'er it step : 
Else I shall beat thee for thy bravery, 
With this small whip, whose lash shall make thee dance 
A measure that thou hast not known before : 
I need no sword to cope with thee ! — Avaunt ! 

[H. Leger rushes at her. 

Ell. Oh ! my lord, my lord !—gc— protect my friend— 
For she's a woman and unused to arms ! 

Wal. A woman ! — There's treason here I — 

Flor. Ha !— ha ! — bravo !— St. Leger look at me ! 

[Pulls off her cap. 
Where are thy eyes thou could 'st not find me out ; 
Albeit a masker in this brave attire? 



THE SIGNET. 41 

Come ! — Wilt thou slay me now ! — come do the deed ! — 
For I'm defenseless, save my innocence ! 

Si. Leg. (Starting). Florence ! — What means this strange dis- 
guise ? — 

Fior. Hist !— hist !— my lord !— 

Wal. Yield, traitors ! — 

Ell. Traitors ! — Alas I alas ! — We are lost ! — ■ 

Flor. Alas ! — What have I done? — 

St. L^g. (Suddenly, putting his swori at Wahingham' s breast). 
We shall not yield I — Yield thou ! — 

Wal Never !— What ho !— What ho !— The guard !— 

St. Leg. Silence ! — or, Walsingham, thou diest ! — 

Wal. (Suddenly, moves ba^k a id draws his sword). Ha ! — Wal- 
singham dies not by thy weak hand — 
Out of my course, else I shall cleave my way. 
E'en though thy lieart's blood pay the penalty ! — 

^t. Leg. Come on, proud lord ! — St. Leger is thy foe : — 
An' thou goest hence, 'tis o'er my fallen corse ! — 

Ell. {Rushing between them). Hold, hold, my lords ! — 
Art thou Sir Francis Walsinghani, uncle 
To Sir Thomas Norreys?— speak, speak, my lord ! — 
An' thou art he, here's amity, not hate ! 

Wal. Back, meddling fool ! — I'm Francis Walsingham ! — 

Ell. Oh ! sheathe thy sword and harken to my plaint ! 
My garb bespeaks me man, but I am not : 
For 'neath this doublet beats a woman's heart ! 
I am Ellen of MacCarthy — daughter 
To thy friend, the Lord MacCarthy; who though dead 
Yet liveth in thy soul to plead my suit. — 
My lord, I come to rescue of my love — 
Sir Thomas Norreys — now mewed in the Tower; 
For we, albeit not joined by rites of law. 
Are wedded by the sacred rites of Love ! 
My lord, Sir Thomas Norrey's innocent — 
He's true : for his bright soul could lift him to the stars, 
Ere he could stoop to any treachery ! 
Aid us, my lord, in this our righteous aim 
To guard the innocent from punishment ! 
An' thou betray us to the vengeful Queen, 
Thou know'st no rules of lenity or right — 
Aid me, good Sir, and the deed shall shine 
E'er on thy crest a glory and a sign 
To lead thy soul to mercy and to God ! 
To keep from wrong, do not a greater wrong : 
O, lot allegiance bow to innocence ! 

Wal. Fair maid, I yield to thy sweet eloquence ! 
Thy hand, St. Leger : here our feud is healed. 
Lead on !— I'll aid thee to my utmost strength : 
Norreys is true ! — I know him innocent ; — 



42 THE SIGNET. 

And I'll defend him though the act be death — 

Thy noble spirit lighteth me the way 

To his emancipation, or — the grave ! 

On I— I follow :— Yet, what, an' we shall fail?— 

Ell. My lord— did'st thou say fail ?— We shall not fail ! 
Virtue may die ; but like the fabled bird — 
The wondrous Phoenix- from her grave she soars, 
Made lovlier by the light of her own pyre, 
AvA purged of all attainder in her fires — 
Where writhe her foes in agony and death ! 
Come ! — As plum'd eagles soar no common flights ; 
Fly, with wing'd swiftness to empyrean heights : 
Thende swooping — sieze the opportunity 
That giveth Norreys life and libeitj'^, 
And wrest her quarry from the tyrant's hand ! — 
Forward ! — I lead — and God and Truth command ! — 
This potent signet marshaleth the way 
To victory and joy ! — Away ! — away ! — [Exeunt. 

END OF ACT IV. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. — London — Great Hall in tlie Toioer; arranged for 
trial of NorreijS. 

Enter Norreys and Guard. 

Guard. 'Tis but a paltry benefit ray lord, 
To give thee license to walk here awhile — 
Freed from the narrow closure of a chU : 
T fai'.i would grant thee broader liberty ; 
But 'tis against the function of my place. 

Nor. T thank thee, soldier, for thy gracious care. [Exit Guard. 
Oh ! thou dread Tower, whose dark em battlements 
Are stain'd with sombre tints of antique Time; 
And purpled with rhe blood of many Kings, 
And potentates and princes of the realm : 
Whose hopes, ambitions, and loud-bruit'd fame. 
That erst aspired to fill the spacious globe — 
With theJr forgotten bones — lie here interred 
In thy capacious treasury of woe ! 
Thou art the monument o'er many graves ; 
Where sleep the mighty in all-dateless death — 
Shorn of the pride of pomp and haughty port 
That made them move the masters of the earth : 
And now they sleep attainted with decay ; 



THE SIGNET. 43 

Nor can the voic'd laudation of all tongues 

Soothe the cold ear that's even deaf to fame ; 

Nor all the perfumes of sweet Araby 

Sweeten the forms that smell of dusty death ! 

Thou art a Sexto i — garrulous of graves, 

Who points to tombs, and smiles upon thy wealth ; 

And gives to each a woeful epitaph — 

To all who heed thy lamentable plaint ! 

Thy very walls are ominous of death ; 

And all thy walks are over festering vaults ! 

Thy fame is death I--N0 temple of the globe — 

Though its proud top kiss the o'er-arching dome, 

And shrines unnumber'd sanctify its shades: 

No gorgeous palace of monarchic pride — 

Though crown 'd with wealth of ornamental art, 

And habitation of the mightiest Kings, 

Can match the glory of thy sepulchres ! 

Thy gloomy walls bend o'er me with their frowns — 

Impending omens of my brooding fate. 

I walk upon the tottering verge of life, 

Beetling o'er the dark abyss of time : 

A pigmy's push can hurl me to my doom ; 

Yet — I must struggle with colossal foes. 

My brain is dizzy with perplexity : 

I'll not look down ; but upwards turn to God 

Who ever sways the destinies of men ; 

And guards the guiltless and the pure from harm, 

Amid the sharpest accidents of life. 

My innocence's a bulwark of defense, 

Even against the malice of the Queen : 

For might of law's above the sovereign's power, 

And proof of innocence's a shield of strength 

To dull the edge of fiercest accusation : 

And if usurping majesty dure break 

Through the strong wards and barriers of law 

That hedge from hurt my libert)'' and life ; 

I only, then, can look for aid to Heaven ! 

All other friends fall from us in our need — 

Save hope, the blessed comforter of man ! 

As the bold tannen grows on bleakest rocks, 

Where not a floweret of the field can bloom, 

From lack of nourishment and warmth of earth ; 

So Hope will blossom in the darkest heart. 

Albeit 'tis barren as the desert's dust ! 

Oh ! come, sweet hope ; and soothe raj^ soul to rest ! 

I shall be freed ; and all sliall yet go well. 

As some brave bark toss'd on tempestuous seas', 

When the strong pilot slumbers at the helm, 

Glides into port of safety and of peace : 



44 THE SIGNET. 

So Providence shall guide me unto bliss, 
And tlie sure anchorage of golden days ! — 
O, Love ! release me from these circling keeps 
That bar me from my freedom and my joy ; 
And let me speed with fond celerity — 
To find a haven in dear Ellen's arms, 
And in her kiss a balm for every ill ! 

Enter Guard. 

Guard. The Queen, my lord, sends greeting unto thee ; 
With this fair message, and this goodly sword ! 

[ Gives him a letter and a sword. Exit Guard. 

Nor. What wonder's here?— My sword returned to me ; 
And a kind message from the Queen's own hand ! — 
Shine out, fair sun — illume these dreary halls ! 
For here I find assurance of my hope, 
And strongest presag'' of a quick reprieve — 
And yet — 1 shudder when 1 break these bonds 
That hide from view this oracle of doom, 
Far more momentous than the Delphic muse 
Whose utterance shook the men of antique type i 
I read the testament of life or death ! — [Reads. 

Herewith we return thy sword. When tried we would not have thee dis- 
honored before thy peers and the realm ; by reason of thy high birth and 
great fame. Therefore, we give thee back thy sword— the emblem of thy 
honor and thy rank. Yet hope no lenity from us. We are thy accuser, thy 
judge, thy condemner. Forthwith prepare for trial, and for death. 

Elizabeth. 

Alas ! — Do I interpret these cursed words aright? 

Is this the end of my high vaunting hopes — 

The verge and butt of this mysterious being, 

On whose frail edge I cling, tre yet I fall 

Into the dread eternity of years ! 

Farewell ! ambition, and aspiring dreams, — 

Ye high achievements — and embannered hosts 

That match'd my soul to actions valorous, 

And sharpened the strong appetite of fame ! — 

Farewell ! sweet love that made my heart an Eden, 

For habitation of Elysian joys ! 

AH — all are gone — and I shall follow soon ! — 

Oh ! must I die — and rot in the rank grave ; 

And hold a banquet for devouring worms ! 

Shall all my love and glory be but dust ; 

And only lit to fertilize the earth ? — 

Aloft my star, from life's bright orient, 

Soared to reach the zenith of great days ; 

Till turn'd by fate from its effulgent course— 



THE SIGNET. 45 

To blaze a meteor in the lurid heavens ; 

Then sink beneath the horizontal ver^e, 

Quench'd in the darkness of eternity ! 

O, I am mad ! — I hold my trusty blade ! — • 

Ah ! let me gaze on thy familiar face, 

And try again thy temper and thy stiength ! [Draws Ms sword o- 

Thy face is beaming, for thy metal's true : 

And all the rubs that thou hast known, withal, 

Have brighten'd — and not marr'd thy countenance ; 

For thou hast ever borne a heart of steel ! 

Thou wast the dear companion of my life, 

From the fond hours of prattling infancy — 

Defense in war, and ornament in peace ; 

E'er by my side a slave obedient ! — 

And now — thou art the only friend that left 

To. cheer me with thy countenance and aid. 

No more, I'll bear thee in the battle's front — 

A gleaming Mercury of triumphant arms ! 

Ah I thou Shalt rust ; or fill an alien hand, 

That cannot feel thy loyalty and strength — 

Thy blade is keen — and thy bright point is sharp — 

And I must die ! — Away ! thou tempter vile I — 

Thou, oft, ha'st kept my honor with my life ; 

Now keep my honor from attaint of shame, 

And all aspersion of censorious tongues — 

By keeping, still, what thou hast kept so well : 

For honor vexeth not the sleep of death, 

And there is no attainder in the tomb ! — 

Knock at my heart, and it shall ope to thee. 

With rosy greeting — and clasp thee as friend ! 

Farewell, vain world ! — Thou art a pvgmy's span 

Betwixt the cradle and the sepulchre : 

Whereas I've travell'd far upon the way. 

One step shall plunge me o'er the brink of Time 

Into the dark existence of the grave ! 

-EJn^er Ellen (unseen; disguised in male attire.) 

Come ! — Do thy office, thou unfaltering steel ; 

And give my soul an exit to her God ? — [ Offers to stab himselfl 

mi. (Seizing his hand). Hold thy rash hand I — Oh ! would'st 
thou slay thyself ; 
Though I be near to comfort and to love? 

Nor. {Pushing her rudely f I om him). Back I — Who art thou 
that darest thus gainsay 
The bloody humor of a desperate man ? — 

JEU. Alas ! my lord — Oh ! — dost tliou know me not?— 

Nor. I know thee not ! Away ! intruding fool : 
Else with a blow 1 pay thee for thy mirth ! — 



46 THE SIGNET. 

Ell. Oh ! look again — an', now, thou knowest me not ; 

[Taking off her cap. 
Then truth and honor are fantastic sIjows, 
And love tlie vag'ry of a brain diseased ! — 

Nor. What !— do I dream? — Methinks 1 know thy voice — 
It fills my heart as a pure strain from Heaven, 
And the rich music breathed from Ellen's soul.: 
For from her tongue, as an ^^olian lyre, 
The noblest thoughts tan sweetest melody ! — 
Yet — this strange guise ? Great God ! — It is my love ! 
Close to my heart — close ! — Let me hold thee clo^se ; 
A sweet protection from the ills of life ! [Embraces her. 

Ell. Alas ! my lord — I fear my strength is naught 
Against the might and vengeance of the Queen ! 

Nor. Ah ! let her come : and thou wilt foil her yet — 
By the mere sweetness of thy pleading look, 
And the majestic beauty of thy faith I 
Go, tell the tyrant on her shaking throne, 
Built on the favors of the tickled herd : 
Whilst fires eruptive blaze beneath her feet ; 
Soon to engulph her in their burning flood — 
That this blest hour is worth an age of power, 
PerkM in the purple, and the gauds of state ; 
And this is joy her soul can never know — 
That gives to man the'ecstasy of Gods ! — [Releases her. 

Ell. Oh ! I drink courage from thy noble faith, 
As thirsty drinkers from the sparkling wine ; 
That gives, alike, the hope and strength to act. 
But list ! — I hear their tread :— they come ! — they come ! 

Nor. Who comes? — Dost know that it were certain death ; 
An' jealous power should seize thee in these walls? — 
What warrant brings thee here? — I'd have thee stay ; 
Yet, for the world, I would not have thee known — 
Fly ! — for it is the guard tliat comes this way ! 

Ell. Nay 1 nay ! my lord ; I shall not go from thee : 
For my great love is paramount to fear ; 
And these are friends that bring thee aid and hope. 
In these dark issues of thy trembli'g life — 
That's pois'd on the nice balance of an hour ! — 
I gain'd admittance at the Queen's command — 
For in this ring is couched her sovereignty : [Showing the signet, 
A little closure to confine a realm ! — 

Straight comes the Queen — with judgment and with wrath — 
Forthwith to doom thee unto horrid death : 
Yet, if by law and custom of the realm, 
• Thou canst appeal thy tri:U from the scope 
And sanction of her high authority. 
Unto the peers in Parliament convened ; 
Thou Shalt bG saved from slanderous attaint, 



THE SIGNET. 47 

And the fixed malice of thy wrathful liege : 
For thy impeachment hangs upon her tongue ; 
And she will ne'er a proclamation make 
Linking thj'- guilt with her apparent shame : 
Whereat thy triers sliall avouch thee free 
From tills accusal and impeach of law ! 

Nor. Alas ! my love ; but I am not a peer ! 

Ell. When we are one in marriage, thou shalt be 
A peer, as high as any in the realm : 
For I a peeress, shall make thee a peer — 
And a weak woman, vest thee with the strength 
To face thy sovereign with a front of might 
And high puissance that shall thwart her power; 
And wrest the pith and vigor from her hate. 

Nor. Alas !— This cannot be ! — Thou dost but dream ! — 
These walls embar me from access of men : 
No priest dare enter in this cursed keep 
To do the sacred office of the church, 
That shall, forever, blend her hearts in one. 

Ell. My love, amazement wraps thy judgment still, 
From the true grain of reason and of sense : 

Enter St. Leger, Priest, and Florence {disguised in male 
attire). 

Yet let thy eyes bear witness to my tongue — 
Behold ! the priest who comes to see thee shrived ! 

St. Leg, And thy true friends who come to see thee wived\ — 

Nor. This is no fond delusion of the brain 
Wrought on my eye-balls by vain phantasy : 
But'beareth shape and likeness of the truth ! — 
Father, I pray thy blessing and thy grace ! [Kneeling, 

Priest. My son, God grant thee his rich benison, 
And give thee grace and life for many days ! 

St. Leg. And may the Queen preserve thy sense and wit ; 
Nor make a block-head of so wise a sage ! 

Nor. Welcome, my friends ! —Your faces give me strength, 
And hope relumes; that flickered in my heart, 
As doth the taper when its socket's dry ! 

Si. Leg. Look up. ray comrade ! — AJl shall yet go well : 
Aiid thoil shalt laugh with me a^ thou wert wont ! 

Flor. And dull his wit by lausching with a fool ; 
Who drew his sword upon a skilless maid — 
Whose hand did lay tlie lash upon his back, 
Until he danc'das if to merry tune, 
In the quick movements of a galliard ! — 

St. Leg. Whose wounds were all forgotten ; when a kiss 
From thy sweet lips absolved him from his pains, 
And gave a foretaste of the joys of heaven ! [Tucket sounded. 



48 THE SIGNET. 

Nor. What trump is that that wakes the startled air ? — 

>S'^. Leg. Ah ! — 'tis the signal that proclaims approach 
Of her majesty unto the Tower : 
Who cometh straight to try thee for thy life ! — 
Good father, speed thee with the holy rite 
That joineth two in that strange unity, 
That Hymen raaketh two again, ere thou 
Hast bless'd the due performance of the act ! 

Priest. Thy hand my son, and thine my daughter, too ! „ 
By the high office of our sacred church, 
And the ordainment of her holy laws ; ^ 

I do declare that ye are man and wife — 
United in the sacrament of love ! 
May your pare lives, as two convergent streams, 
Here blend their golden currents into one ; 
And ever image from untainted depths, 
The starry azure of a smiling heaven, 
And the bright virtues of a blameless life. 
Whom God hath joined, let no man put apart ! 

Nor. {Embraces Ellen). Now, come what may ! — hand in hand 
we go, 
Unto the brightest joy, or darkest woe ! [Flourish of trumpets. 

Enter Queen Elizabeth, Burghley, Walsinqham, King- 
at-Arms, Sergeants-at-Arms, Guards, Lords, Ladies, 
and Attendants. The Queen takes her seat upon the throne^ 
covered with a canopy of cloth of gold. 

King-at-Arms. Silence in court ! 

Queen. Officer, arraign the prisoner for trial ! 

King-at-Arms. Oyez ! — Oyez ! — Sir Thomas Norreys — Knight 
And Gentleman ; with treason you are charged 
Against the Queen, and her high sovereign laws : 
Say, are you guilty of the crime avouched ; 
Or come you innocent into her court ? — 
Speak like true Knight, so defend you heaven : 
For you do stand on your deliverance ! — 
<Qod save the Queen and her sovereign realm ! 

Nor. I am not guilty : I proclaim aloud, 
Not with the bated breath of trembling slave ; 
But as behooves a gentleman and Knight — 
I am innocent ; and I crave the proof 
Of guilt or treason, secret or overt, 
By me committed 'gainst the common weal, 
Or sacred person of her majesty. 

Bur. Most gracious liege, an' thou wilt deign to hear 
The voice of Burghley, in this exigence 
Touching the due procedure of this trial : 
I do avow the edicts of the realm, 



THE SIGNET. 49 

And all the nsa^e of precedent times, 
Dispense with proof, an' the act overt 
Be done in very presence of thj'^ liege : 
For laws that mark the acts of commoners, 
Make no estoppel to imperial power ; 
And do avouch the Queen can do no wrong — • 
Thence is derived thy license from the law ! — 
An' thou adjudge conviction on this lord ; 
Thy voice shall sound supremest iti the realm, 
And none shall dare thy judgment disob<'y ! 

Wal. My lord, thou speak'st on no authority, 
And 'gainst the true intendment of the law. 
My liege, vouchsafe to hear the truth avow'd ! 
The law doth ride the King and slave alike, 
And all must yield obedience to its sway — 

Queen. Cease ! — Cease ! — My lord, we brook no treachery ! 
Our power's above the law — we are the law — 
What we ordain shall be our gov<'rnraent. 
And not the powerless statutes of the realm. 
That ye proclaim in mockery of power ! 

Nor. My liege ! my liege I thou know'st I'm true — not false ! 
Since on thy accusation hangs my fate — 
O, speak, my liege ! speak !— speak the very truth, 
And clear me from all guiltiness — all crime ! 
I pray thee speak — for in thy speech doth lie 
Unjust conviction or my due reprieve ! — 
ISave me, my liege— condemn me not to die ! 

Queen. We shall not save thee — thou art doomed to die ! 
This is our sentence ; and our will is fixed ! 
Prepare for death — we thee grant no reprieve ! 

The Queen comes down /rom the throne, and goes close to Norreys. 

Thou sbalt die — unless to me thou yield'st ! 

Nor. I cannot yield, my liege — but I can die ! 

Ell. {KneeHng before the Queen). Oh I pardon him — pardon, 
him — my liege ! — 

Queen. Away ! — On what plea should we pardon him? 

Ell. [Rising). On the plea of justice good my liege — 
Justice is ever paramount to law, 
And mightier far than throned sovereignty : 
The seat of Justice is the throne of God, 
And her voice the harmony of the world ; 
All heaven and earth bend to her potent sway, 
And circle her with glory — the very least 
Feeling her tender care, and the greatest not 
Exempted from her sovereignty and power— 
And law is but the shadow that her light — 
Eclipsed by errors and the wrongs of men— 



50 THE SIGNET. 

Casts on the earth — that ever takes the shape 
And color of the hand that wields the act ! — 
Opinions and the usages of state, 
Like vapors from the earth, ascend to heights 
Of power puissant, and strong government; 
And there, straight freeze in forms of rigid law — 
Thence to descend an avalanche of wrath — 
When fulminated by tlie hand of might ; 
Else melting in the light of Justice, flows 
A lucent stream into the haunts of men — 
Glassing the auguries of auspicious stars, 
And breathing strength and purity from God ! 
Let Justice rule the law — nor passion's sway 
Govern the ends of nations or of men ! 
Justice, my liege, justice — we beg of thee ! 

Queen. And wlio art thou that mali'st tlie welkin hoarse. 
With repetition of thy bold exclaims ; 
And on what warrant dost thou speak to us ? 

Ell. r am his wife — and speak by vouch of law ! 

Queen. Is she thy wife? — Oh ! say her tongue hath lied. 
And we will grant thee pardon and reprieve ; 
And raise thee unto highest rank and power ! 
Thou dost not speak? — Ah !— She proclaims the truth ! 

Nor, Her speech is true, my liege — she's ever true ! — 
From this time on, we stand or fall as one. [Embraces Ellen, 

Queen. Ha ! — Then, ye fall ! — My hot revenge is swift 
And deadly as the thunder-bolt of Jove — 
That striketh ere the lightning heralds it ! 
Thy wife is no protection 'gainst the law, 
Nor our conviction for thy treachery ; 
For it can pierce thee even through a wife ! 
Back minion ! — Straight unloose thy traitorous hold, 
Else, by God's death ! — we'll smite thee for offense. 
In giving comfort to a man outlawed — 
For treason 'gainst the realm and us, thy liege ! 
Guards, seize the traitor — bear him from our sight — " 
And let him die, for treachery and wrong ! 

Ell. Back, butchers ! — Have patience good my liege — 
For I stand in exception of the law — 
And have the right to comfort and abet 
My husband, and incur no penalty ! 

Queen. Ah ! — Darest thou vaunt thy right e'en in our teeth — 
Down, down, upon thy knees, and sue for grace, 
Else we will slay thee for thy insolence ! — 
Slaves, obey our government ! — seize her straight ! 

Ell, Soft ! — I'm a woman — weak and impotent : 
Nor arm'd to cope with crowned majesty. 
Dost thou deny me justice and the law? — 
An' Justice sleepeth — let the Law awake ! — 



THE SIGNET. 61 

Lo ! I invoke the genius of tlie law — 

That born an^l strengthened in the awful throes 

And shocks tliat rock'd it from a dwarf to power, 

Now, towero a Titan, o'er thy pigmy height — 

Beneath whose frown tliy greatness pales and dies; 

For Law's superior to thy sceptred sway — 

And marks, not makes the might of sovereignty ! 

See where he stands !— Touch him, an' thou darest ! 

For he's within the pale of sacred law — 

That is as holy as the hallowed shrine. 

And sainted sanctuary of Almighty God ! — 

Hold ! — I am a peeress, and he a peer— 

And we appeal from thee to Parliament ! 

Queen. To Parliament ! — She peeress and he peer ! 
{A.side). All is lost — O, I am mesh'd in toils, 
I >Q,x. to balk their purposes and ends ! — 
Is this the truth, or some damned phantasy 
Tiiat steals the use and pertinence of sense, — 
And cheateth leason with the show of truth ? 
Speak ! speak ! my lord — dotli she speak true or false ? 

[To Walsingham, 

Wal. The truth, my liege ! — She's peeress and he peer ! — 
She's heritor of Lord MacCarthy's rank; 
And he, her husband, is by law a peer. 

Queen. Her husband ! — It is false ! — Give us the proof ! — 
He was gaoled in close confinement here. 
And none could gain an ingress to the Tower — 

Ell. {Holding up the Queen^s signet). Thy signet gave admis- 
sion to the Tower; 
And Love gave wings to fly to his relief ! — 

I'riest. And I perform'd the function of the church 
That linked their loves in unison of bliss ! 

Queen. Our signet ! — Ha ! — The truth reveals the act ! — 
(Aside). All — all — is lost ! — For I must bow to Law, 
That giveth him appeal to Parliament : 
Ha ! — ril not yield— but strike him to the earth ! — 
Alas ! my sceptre hath no potency — 
But is a bauble for a jester's hand ; 
Albeit I grasp it with a giant's hold — 
It lacks the sway and mastery of power ! 
Away with strength and raaj -sty of Kings 
An' they but mock, nor aid us in our acts ! 
His accusation I no more can vouch — 
For it will bruit my shame unto the world — 
'Tis only left to grant him liberty ! — 
(Aloud). The law's an attribute to human power ; 
But justice is the faculty of God : 
And mercy liveth in the equal poise 
And centre of strict justice and the law — 



52 THE Sia.NET. 

And human judgment's nearest unto God's, 
When ffentle mercy makes arbitremenr. ! — 
When Justice in her own and Astrae.in age, 
Soar'd from earth to sway her native heavon ; 
She sent sweet mercy, her vicegerent here — 
To wield the iron statutes of tlie wwUl, 
Attemper'd to the lenities of God ! — 
We cannot give you justice — justice tits 
The law — and law hath doom'd you to the block- 
But Mercy saveth with her potent plea I — 
Judge not our aspect by the frowns tiiar, mar 
The light and glory of our countenance : 
Henceforth, our rule and empery shall be — 
Not like the fulgent splendors of the sun, 
When veil'd by blackness of dark-brooding clouds ; 
But one resplendent blazonry of light — 
Whose quenchless glory shall enlight the realm, 
And move obedient to the globe of Time, 
As it revolves the cycles of the world — 
The golden augur of ail-joyous peace. 
And blest assurance of sweet tranquil days I 
We pardon you ! — Go ! — go in peace and joy, 
And let no fear your ripening bliss alloy : 
An' God the issues of the world o'ersway — 
All earthly Kings his government obey ! 

Curtain. 



The End. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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